Five men sentenced for attempted £34m Eastbourne cocaine smuggle

Hugh French, prosecuting, told the hearing Colqhoun and Donohoe were “trusted logistics men” working for an organised crime group with international reach.

The defendants made contact with Smith, a self-employed fisherman and skipper of the New Horizon fishing boat, in May, before travelling from Scotland to East Sussex in a hired van.

Once the boat carrying the consignment of cocaine had been brought to Sovereign Harbour, the men began unloading the consignment.

It was then they were arrested by NCA officers.

Body worn video shows the officers confronting Ruffell who was found on board the boat hiding in a cupboard.

The court heard Colqhoun and Donohoe expected a payment of £80k for their role in a successful operation, although it is not known how or if the money would have been shared with other members.

It was not suggested Colqhoun nor Donohoe were the ultimate owners of the drugs or at the apex of the organised crime group.

In mitigation, the court heard Colqhoun and Donohoe had struggled with their mental health following careers in the armed forces serving overseas, and had difficulty finding employment or holding down jobs.