A man has been found guilty after “playing a key role” in a plot to import cocaine with a street value of more than £40million.

The drugs were found in a van at the Stags Head Inn in Lelley, near Hedon in East Yorkshire, on May 4, after being transferred from a ship sailing in the North Sea.

Mark Moran, 23, of Glenfyne Terrace in Ardrishaig, Scotland, was found guilty of conspiracy to import Class A drugs by a majority verdict at Hull Crown Court on Friday. He was cleared of a second charge of conspiracy to supply.

Anthony McAllister, 33, from Aldersyde in Taynuilt, Scotland, was found not guilty of both charges.

The trial had previously heard that both men admitted their roles in collecting the consignment from a planned drop-off point in the North Sea, but denied knowing it was cocainewhich had been shipped from Colombia.

The court also heard that the operation incurred substantial costs, including the purchase of a £40,000 boat, which was then left in Lowestoft, Suffolk, after being searched by Border Force authorities on April 25, before any contraband was collected.

Prosecutor Angus McDonald said the plot was clearly lucrative enough for them to make this decision.

The boat ultimately used in the operation was purchased for £6,000 from Wells in Somerset, along with a Volvo from Bristol.

The court heard Moran played a key role in the operation and was the main point of contact in the UK.

The boat was later found on the beach at Easington, East Yorkshire, after the drugs were loaded into the van.

Moran, as well as Colombian Didier Tordecilla Reyes, who has already pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine, are expected to be sentenced at a later date.

Mr McAllister’s lawyer, David Hall, previously told the court: “By his own admission he (Mr McAllister) was up to no good.”

However, he said his client, who was hired to run the boat, was asked to collect a consignment of tobacco.

Giving evidence, Mr McAllister told the court: “If I had known I was going to be involved in cocaine dealing I would have said no – it ruins lives.”

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