A Kent fruit wholesaler accused of importing £25 million worth of cocaine by hiding it inside plastic bananas has been found not guilty.
David Mais, director of Eurodirect Distribution, was facing one count of conspiracy to import a Class A drug.
He maintained throughout the trial at Southwark Crown Court that his business was “entirely honest” and he had “no idea” his business was being used by a Colombian drug cartel to smuggle in 91 per cent pure cocaine, the Mirror reported.
The drugs had a wholesale value of up to £8m and a street value of £24.5m, the Mirror said. The consignment was allegedly found by police in Mais’ distribution centre off the A2 near Rainham in Kent in July 2014.
'Those bananas had been found in a pallet of a consignment of genuine bananas that had been sent on or about 21 June from Colombia,” said prosecutor Ken Millett.
'The bananas were wrapped in a particular cling film and had been smeared with some kind of oil or grease or chemical to prevent detection by sniffer dogs.”
Upon hearing the verdict Mais leaned against the dock, and received congratulations from supporters in the public gallery, the Mirror said.
Three men from the drug gang, including packhouse worker Daniel Valdes Jaramillo, Leonel de Alberto Grisales-Cuervo, nicknamed 'Messi' and Oscar Jesus Hernandez-Gonzales, have previously been sentenced to a total of 59 years in prison for their involvement.
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