AN alleged cocaine Mr Big accused of importing the drug from Ecuador in shipments of bananas blamed a lag called James White.
James Stevenson, 59, denies directing a global gang to traffick the powder found in boxes labelled “Glasgow Fruit Market”.
Eight blocks of the drug each weighing 1kg were discovered in 119 foil packages by UK Border Force officials in Dover, a joint minute of agreed evidence read to jurors stated.
The High Court in Glasgow heard the coke was hidden in consignments of bananas that had arrived at the port from South America on 17 dates between May and September 2020.
National Crime Agency experts later assessed it as having a purity “no less than 73 per cent”.
Stevenson, previously of Burnside, near Glasgow, is accused of leading a trafficking operation spanning the UK, Spain, Ecuador and a luxury resort in Abu Dhabi.
He is also accused of teaming up with another man for the “collection, storage and onward transmission” of £1.04m of criminal funds.
Prosecutors listed 14 charges in a seven-page indictment covering alleged offences between January and September 2020.
It is claimed Stevenson ordered Lloyd Cross, 32, David Bilsland, 67, and others to commit “a serious offence” as part of the alleged plot.
Dirty money is alleged to have funded equipment, premises, cars and registering directors under fake names for the fruit market firm in the city’s Townhead.
Stevenson has lodged a special defence of incrimination for these charges, blaming Cross and James White.
Both were said to be in Scots jails.
Another charge accuses Stevenson, Bilsland and Garry McIntyre, 43, of importing drugs.
Stevenson and Gerard Carbin, 45, are said to have directed co-accused Paul Bowes, 53, Ryan McPhee, 34, and another individual to produce and supply street Valium and tranquilliser Alprazolam.
The final charge claims Stevenson conspired with others to torch properties and cars including a beauty salon in Hamilton.
All six men deny guilt.
The trial was adjourned until August 26.
