U.K. supply of high speed, radar-evading boats to smugglers operating between North Africa and Spain
Accused of taking over the role of a Lowestoft couple in supplying boats to drug smugglers 0n the Spanish Costas went to the same business to purchase the hulls, a court has heard.
Ian Rush, 43, is on trial at Ipswich Crown Court where HM Revenue and Customs has alleged he was instrumental in setting up a company to continue the work of Lowestoft-based Crompton Marine when its owners were arrested.
Yesterday the court was told by David Gooch that he had supplied, without being aware of the eventual owners of the boats, hulls to Crompton Marine, but when owners Richard Davison and Ellen George were arrested he was left with a number in stock.
Mr Gooch said Rush's company, Nautexco Marine, contacted him and arranged to purchase the hulls.
The prosecution allege that Rush, of Brand End Road, Butterwick, Lincolnshire, had set up Nautexco with the aim of continuing the supply of high speed, radar-evading boats to smugglers operating between North Africa and Spain.
Davison and George were detained in March 2004 as part of a joint investigation by British and Spanish customs officials into suspected money laundering offences.
At the couple's home in Colville Road, Lowestoft, £1.25m in cash was found. Rush has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to retain the proceeds of drug smuggling and conspiracy to acquire criminal property.
Defence barrister Phillip Hackett said the way that Nautexco Marine and Crompton Marine were managed was very different and was key to proving Rush's innocence.
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