A Bransgore man has pleaded guilty to charges in relation to smuggling £75 million worth of cocaine hidden in a container full of bananas.
The haul, weighing nearly a tonne, seized at Southampton Docks by the National Crime Agency after arriving from Nicaragua via Panama to the UK.
Border Force officers opened the container and found 943kg of cocaine with a street value of around £75m.
£75m in cocaine was seized at Southampton Docks (picture: NCA)
At Southampton Crown Court today (Friday) Joshua Berry (28), of Anna Lane, who appeared by video link from Belmarsh Prison, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to fraudulently evade the prohibition on the importation of cocaine between 1st and 18th March this year.
He also admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine between 1st and 18th March, and admitted producing cannabis between 1st December last year and 28th March 2026, and possession of crime-related money on 27th March this year.
He will be sentenced after lorry driver Daniel Dumitru, of Reginald Road, Smethwick, stands trial in September this year. He has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to supplying cocaine between 1st and 18th March.
The cocaine was found in a load of bananas (picture: NCA)
He also pleaded not guilty to possession of crime-related money on 27th March. He was released on bail.
Two other defendants, Andrew Smyth (46) of West Park Gardens, Prenton, Merseyside, and Darren Bushell (58) of Ryelands Court, Houghton, Bolton, were remanded in custody.
There will be a further court hearing on 3rd June this year.