Stephen Lloyd-Jones, 56, and Tiamo Zanaj, 33, were sentenced to 24 years and 22 years, respectively, after being found guilty of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine. The pair was apprehended at Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne, with 350kg of cocaine on board.

Lloyd-Jones played a crucial role in the operation, acting as the captain of their boat, the Well Plumbed. He was responsible for the logistics of retrieving drugs from a cargo ship in the English Channel. His extensive preparations included outfitting the boat with specialized equipment.

Despite the meticulous planning, rough seas resulted in the loss of half their expected cocaine load. The remaining 350kg, however, still held a substantial street value, estimated at up to £35 million.

The Crown Prosecution Service emphasized the seriousness of the crime, noting that both Lloyd-Jones and Zanaj were aware of their actions and the potential profits involved, despite their attempts to downplay their roles.