Two men from Preston convicted after £26m cocaine pick up off Somerset coast
Colin Benson, 60, and Joshua Rose, 38, were arrested in 2025 for their roles in the drugs smuggling operation
Last updated 23rd Apr 2026
Two men have been convicted after £26.5 million worth of cocaine was seized after being picked up off the Somerset coast.
Colin Benson, 60, and Joshua Rose, 38, both from Longton in Preston, were arrested in November last year for their roles in the drugs smuggling operation.
The National Crime Agency investigated the seizure at Watchet Marina last year, which involved an attempted importation of 322 kilos of cocaine with an 89% purity.
At North Somerset Crown Court yesterday (22nd April) Benson was found guilty of being knowingly concerned in the importation of cocaine, while Rose pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of an organised crime group at an earlier hearing.
At the same court Benson was sentenced to 20 years and six months imprisonment.
Rose will be sentenced at a later date.
The court heard that on 30th July 2025, Benson and Rose were waiting on the shore for the return of a speedboat carrying the drugs.
On board the boat called the Guzzla was Craig Nuttall, 51, Anestis Tsepa, 25, and 39-year-old Melios Delvina.
Also waiting on land was Craig Nuttall’s 48-year-old brother Raymond.
Colin Benson had made several trips from Preston to Watchet Marina in preparation for the operation and met up with Colin’s friend Raymond Nuttall, along with Tsepa and Delvina, the day before.
After officers arrested the four other men at 1am on 31st July, Benson and Rose drove back to Preston in convoy.
The boat was searched and found to contain 14 packages of cocaine were found.
The substance inside was tested and found to be cocaine with an 89% purity.
A firearm was also discovered in the boat.
Investigations revealed that Benson and Rose had financial links, with multiple payments made between them in the year surrounding the importation.
The NCA said Benson had visited Watchet on four separate days immediately before the drugs collection, with his red Range Rover been picked up by ANPR cameras during his trips down south.
He had met the Nuttalls on three separate occasions, including in the marina car park.
The other four men pleaded guilty to drugs importation charges last year and have been sentenced to a total of 49 years. Tsepa also pleaded guilty to possession of the firearm found on the boat.
NCA officers arrested Rose and Benson in Lancashire in November 2025.
The other four men were convicted last year, resulting in a total of 49 years in combined sentences for the men involved in the operation.
Tsepa also pleaded guilty to possession of the firearm found on the boat.
NCA Senior Investigating Officer Alan French said: “Benson and Rose adopted the role of bystanders and clearly didn’t want to embark on such a risky journey to collect this valuable cargo. However, they played a central role in planning the conspiracy through the numerous trips made down south.
“When their accomplices were arrested, they knew the game was up and left the scene in haste. It’s possible they thought that law enforcement wouldn’t bother to arrest them and make them accountable for their crimes, but the NCA will never cease in bringing those involved in smuggling class A drugs to justice.
“The NCA tackles at-sea drugs drop-offs as a priority to ensure illegal drugs do not make it to UK shores. Dedicated Officers from the NCA were aided by, and are grateful for, the vital support of, our partners in Border Force, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, Avon and Somerset Police and Devon and Cornwall Police.”