A prominent drug trafficker from the UK, caught trying to smuggle cocaine and ketamine worth £20 million, was apprehended while enjoying himself at the renowned Pacha nightclub in Ibiza.
Eddie Burton, aged 23, had packed more than 300kg of class A and B narcotics in vacuum-sealed bags while residing in an apartment in Amsterdam before the illegal stash was loaded onto trucks bound for the UK.
Law enforcement officers uncovered 142 kilos of cocaine and 25 kilos of heroin concealed inside a modified fuel tank at the Dover port.
In February, Burton, in collaboration with his former partner Sian Banks, aged 25, admitted to various drug-related crimes, as reported by Liverpool Echo.
During the court hearing, Banks received a five-year prison term, while Burton’s sentencing was postponed by Judge Simon Taylor KC due to suspicions of him being a victim of modern slavery.
Burton and his ex-partner appeared at Canterbury Crown Court for a trial on Friday, where Judge Taylor eventually sentenced Burton to 19 years behind bars.
Living between the Netherlands and Spain since leaving the UK in 2021, Burton was arrested by authorities at Pacha nightclub in Ibiza for separate drug trafficking offenses.
Senior Investigating Officer John Turner from the NCA stated, “Burton, aided by Banks, tried to illegally bring in large quantities of harmful drugs into the UK, assuming he could operate without consequences abroad.”
“Banks played a pivotal role in the criminal operation, laundering the illegal profits and acting as the facilitator for the multi-million pound drug imports in the UK,” Turner added.
Banks pleaded guilty to seven charges, including drug importation and money laundering, while Judge Taylor highlighted that both Burton and Banks engaged in serious criminal activities when they started their relationship.
Following his guilty pleas to drug importation charges, Burton’s sentencing was delayed multiple times due to his claims of being coerced to travel abroad to settle a debt, citing threats made against his family.
After reviewing a letter from Burton alleging modern slavery threats, the judge adjourned sentencing, emphasizing the need to ascertain all facts before proceeding due to Burton’s significant role in a larger criminal network.
In a February court appearance, Judge Taylor expressed unwillingness to take any risks and postponed the sentencing, prompting Burton to shout that he had lied in the letter and resignedly accept the inevitable outcome.