A so-called 'cocaine surfer' who used his knowledge of the Atlantic waves to orchestrate a multi-million-pound drug smuggling operation has been brought to justice in a major police operation.
Arthur Noel, 44, from Braunton, Devon, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role as the mastermind behind a plot to import 50kg of high-purity cocaine with an estimated street value of £4 million.
The Atlantic Plot
Noel, an experienced surfer, utilised his intimate knowledge of the remote North Devon coastline to plan the daring importation. The drugs were destined to be brought across the ocean from South America, with the final leg of the journey involving a small boat to a secluded beach—a method chosen to avoid traditional port security.
Devon and Cornwall Police's Serious and Organised Crime Investigation Team caught wind of the plot and launched a covert operation, codenamed 'Lichen', to bring down the ringleader and his associates.
The Sting Operation
Undercover officers infiltrated the group, gathering crucial evidence that detailed Noel's central role. The court heard how he was the key UK-based organiser, coordinating the logistics for the significant shipment.
His plans, however, were washed away when police moved in. While the 50kg haul was never actually recovered, the wealth of evidence from the undercover operation was enough to secure a conviction for conspiracy to import Class A drugs.
Life of Luxury Funded by Crime
Investigators revealed that Noel's extravagant lifestyle, funded by his criminal enterprises, allowed him to live in a £500,000 house and indulge his passion for surfing and the beach life. Judge Peter Johnson, sentencing at Exeter Crown Court, condemned Noel's actions, stating he played a "leading role" in a "sophisticated and significant operation."
Noel was arrested on the very beaches he knew so well, a stark end to his double life as a surfer and a serious organised criminal.
