Four Liverpool men sentenced for cocaine smuggling

Customs officials recently uncovered a major drug smuggling operation when they discovered cocaine hidden in a crate of bananas. The incident took place at a Belgian port, where a curious officer noticed a white powder leaking from the crate. In December 2016, nearly two tonnes of cocaine were found during the inspection of a shipment from South America. While most of the drugs were seized, a small amount was accidentally sent to a charity food bank. This led to the arrest of four men from Liverpool, connected to the operation. The four men—Peter Scott, Peter Lewtas, Lee Hughes, and David Taylor—were charged in a Dutch court. Initially, prosecutors believed they had high-level roles in the conspiracy. However, the judge determined they were only involved in unloading the shipment at a warehouse in the town of Medemblik. Despite their convictions, the case highlighted the ongoing relationship between Liverpool's organized crime and international drug trafficking. Officials had found the cocaine, valued at around £90 million, during a search in Antwerp. The men were recorded discussing the shipment, revealing that they might have had a role in the logistics rather than the sourcing of the drugs. Prosecutors argued for longer sentences based on their assumed hierarchy, but the judge ruled otherwise. Each man received a three-and-a-half-year sentence, while two others involved were also sentenced. The operation showcased the involvement of multiple criminal groups and the links between Europe and South America in the drug trade. The cocaine was reportedly sourced from a Colombian crime gang known for its significant drug shipments in the past.