A man extradited to the UK has admitted his role in a major cocaine smuggling operation with links to the North East.

Andrew Doran, 42, originally from the Kirkby area of Merseyside, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday (December 12), where he pleaded guilty to drugs importation offences.

Doran was arrested by Spanish police in southern Spain earlier this year following an appeal and was returned to the UK on October 1.

Andrew Doran (Image: National Crime Agency)

The court heard that Doran used the encrypted communications platform EncroChat, under the handle “jurgensixnineteen”, to co-ordinate the importation of large quantities of cocaine from The Netherlands into the UK.

The drugs were hidden inside empty gas canisters which had been cut open, filled with cocaine, welded sh

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