Trial of Drug Smuggling Ring in Glasgow

In a Glasgow trial, James Stevenson, 59, is accused of masterminding a drug trafficking operation that smuggled nearly a tonne of cocaine hidden in banana boxes shipped from Ecuador. The cocaine, weighing 952 kilograms with a purity of 73%, was intended for the Glasgow Fruit Market. Senior officer Michael Miller from the National Crime Agency testified that the cocaine was transported to the UK via HGVs or boats, and dirty money funded the operation, including the purchase of equipment and leasing premises. Prosecutors have listed 14 charges against Stevenson and five accomplices, alleging they conspired to import and supply cocaine between January and September 2020. The drugs were concealed within fruit deliveries, demonstrating the intricate methods used by traffickers. The trial continues as jurors examine extensive evidence presented by law enforcement officials.