Four drug smugglers have been sentenced to a total of 90 years in prison after being caught with over a ton of high purity cocaine on board their fishing boat off the coast of Cornwall. The men, Michael Kelly (45), Jake Marchant (27), Jon Williams (46), and Patrick Godfrey (31), were convicted following a trial in March 2025 for their roles in attempting to smuggle a £100 million haul of cocaine on board the fishing vessel, the Lily Lola, in September 2024.
The operation came to a head on September 13, 2024, shortly after 2pm, when the Border Force cutter HMC Valiant was on patrol off the north coast of Cornwall. The vessel deployed a RHIB (rigid hulled inflatable boat) to intercept the Lily Lola, which had been reported suspiciously navigating the waters. Williams, the captain of the boat, had purchased it for approximately £140,000 just two months prior to the incident.
Upon interception, the crew's claims of being on a simple fishing trip quickly unraveled as officers discovered 1,078 blocks of cocaine hidden throughout the boat. Each block weighed one kilogram and had a staggering 80 percent purity, with a wholesale value of around £35 million. In total, the drugs represented a significant threat to communities across the UK and wider Europe.
During the trial, prosecutor Frederick Hookway revealed that the men had sailed from Newquay to the south of the Isles of Scilly, where they were believed to have dropped off the drugs for collection at night. The fishing boat carried a strong scent of alcohol, and searches revealed blocks and bales of drugs stashed all over the vessel.
Investigators from the National Crime Agency (NCA) had been monitoring the gang for months prior to their capture. A device found on board the Lily Lola was downloaded, revealing messages that indicated the boat was receiving instructions and coordinates from a third party in South America. Godfrey's phone also contained a troubling message stating, "Delete everything u see and not show anybody," alongside an internet search for, "how long does it take a ship to leave Peru to UK?" This evidence pointed to a well-organized drug smuggling operation.
While being interviewed, Williams, Godfrey, and Marchant made no comments, but Kelly claimed they were simply on a fishing trip. However, both Kelly and Marchant pleaded guilty before trial at Truro Crown Court on October 15, 2024. This week, they were sentenced to 21 years and 18 years, respectively. Williams received a 26-year sentence, while Godfrey was handed a 25-year sentence.
In court, Judge James Adkin emphasized the serious nature of the crime, stating that no one would engage in the importation of £35 million worth of cocaine without significant motivation. He remarked on the organized nature of the operation and the potential harm such a large quantity of drugs could cause on the streets of Britain.
Williams, who was portrayed by his barrister as a simple fisherman who had fallen into a life of crime due to personal tragedies, was described as having been coerced into the operation following the death of his father. His defense argued that he had become indebted to a drug dealer and was pressured into using the Lily Lola for smuggling. However, Judge Adkin rejected this defense, stating that Williams had played a significant role in the operation.
Marchant's defense painted a picture of a young man with a long history of drug addiction who acted out of desperation. His barrister noted that he had jumped at the opportunity to make quick money amid a chaotic lifestyle and expressed remorse for his actions.
NCA branch commander Derek Evans commented on the successful operation, stating, "The NCA works around the clock to fight the threat of Class A drugs which wreck people's lives and devastate our communities. Working with Border Force and the Joint Maritime Security Centre, we prevented a huge haul of cocaine from hitting the streets of the UK and wider Europe and ensured organized criminals are deprived of the significant profits they would have gained had these drugs made it into the country."
The sentences handed down to the four men reflect the serious nature of their crimes and the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in the UK. As law enforcement agencies continue to work together to combat such operations, the case serves as a stark reminder of the risks and consequences associated with drug smuggling.