Big fast powerboats - money and drugs

by Bob Wonders on 30 May 2008 Drug boats in the news…..must be Miami, right? Wrong! This time the long arm of the law is chasing drug boat builders in the UK.

‘Uncatchable’ boats…that’s been the claim made against British manufacturer Crompton Marine with its two principals, Richard Davison, 39, and Ellen George, 41, now facing court in Ipswich, UK.

The court was told that Crompton Marine had built an enviable reputation for its production of high-speed inflatables.

However, according to the UK’s Daily Mail, the respectable front of Crompton Marine is alleged to have hidden an undercover ‘trade’ producing high-speed craft for international drug smugglers.

It is alleged Davison and George were well paid for their efforts.

Sums of money mentioned before the court include ‘secret cash deals’ on AUD$720,000 boats, the pair lived in a AUD$722,000 home in the seaside village of Lowestoft, Suffolk, and customs officers who raided the house are reported to have discovered AUD$2,472,000 in cash hidden in various places.

Additionally, a further 1,000,000 Euros (about AUD$1,351,620) was allegedly unearthed along with AUD$80,350 in a property used by the couple in Malaga, Spain.

The boats built by Crompton Marine were giant inflatable RIBs with up to eight 250hp engines (usually Yamaha) installed at the transom.

They were capable of better than 112km/hr.

The court heard that the boats were ‘virtually invisible’ to radar being of low profile and painted grey or black.

It has been alleged the couple were in the process of producing a 33.0-metre (108’) version destined for criminals running contraband between northern Africa and Spain.

According to the Daily Mail, prosecutor Simon Draycott, QC, revealed a photograph of a boat to the court that could carry up to 15,000 litres of fuel and used 900-litres per hour at top speed.

He told the court the boat was so powerful it could carry 'a lot of drugs, a lot of contraband and still outrun any maritime craft.'

It was also alleged that one Ian Rush carried on the illegal trade under the name Nautecxo Marine following the arrest of Davison and George.

Rush, a former haulier who delivered boats for the couple, has been charged with arranging the retention of criminal property.

George is awaiting sentencing after admitting to possession of criminal property and money laundering, while Davison is currently on bail in Spain where he is facing drug smuggling charges.

The couple was arrested after British customs officers put Crompton Marine under surveillance following a ‘tip off’ from Spanish authorities.

As the Daily Mail points out, 'the trial is continuing.'