Scotland’s ‘Tony Soprano’ smuggled cocaine in banana boxes

Evidence began on Monday with Stevenson denying a total of 14 charges, but the 59-year-old has now admitted his role in smuggling cocaine and producing and supplying Etizolam.

Jurors heard it took officers three days to recover cocaine hidden in banana boxes that were sent from Ecuador.

Police said properties in Scotland and England were searched after the drugs were seized and officers identified the men involved.

Fruit merchant David Bilsland, 68, and Paul Bowes, 53, have pled guilty to serious organised crime and drug offences.

Gerard Carbin, 45, Ryan McPhee, 34, and Lloyd Cross, 32, pled guilty earlier in the trial.

And Lewis Connor, 27, was jailed for three years in July after the investigation found encrypted phone messages which proved he had set fire to properties and vehicles across Central Scotland.

The investigation was closely linked to Operation Venetic which has seen hundreds of arrests following the infiltration of an encrypted communications platform used by criminals.

NCA regional head of investigations Gerry Mclean said: “Following his arrest in 2020, career criminal Stevenson fled the country but continued to direct the importation of cocaine into the UK from abroad, falsely believing he could evade justice.

“His plea today, and the earlier admissions of guilt by five of his co-conspirators, are testament to the dedicated work of NCA officers, our Police Scotland partners and our many law enforcement colleagues right across the globe.

“Together we are working tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups who supply class A drugs, ensuring that all those involved, wherever they choose to hide, are brought before the courts.”