A respected fisherman who had met King Charles and government officials to discuss the future of the industry has been jailed for his role in a sophisticated plot to smuggle £18 million worth of cocaine into the UK.
Peter Williams, 44, was sentenced to 16 years and nine months for captaining a boat that went to collect packages of cocaine dropped into the sea off Cornwall by a “mother ship” transporting the drugs from South America.
Truro Crown Court heard that Williams, from Havant, Hampshire, had been a respected member of his local community but fell on hard times, developed a drug habit, and built up significant debt.
He was recruited by his drug dealers to skipper a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) for the smuggling operation in September last year. The plan went wrong when the boat was spotted by a UK Border Force vessel.
Williams led Border Force officers on a 28-mile chase, which ended on Gwynver beach near Land’s End when he ran the RHIB aground.
He and other gang members—including three men from Essex believed to be planning to sell the drugs in southeast England, and a Colombian man thought to be providing security for a South American drug cartel—were arrested.
In his defence, Williams’ barrister, Harry Laidlaw, said his client had been a fisherman for about 15 years and previously worked with children in care. Laidlaw explained that Williams’ troubles began nearly 20 years ago when his father, also a fisherman, died in front of him on a boat.
“His response was to turn to drugs, particularly cocaine,” said Laidlaw. “He managed to overcome his addiction to some extent and get his life back on track. But in 2020, his marriage broke down, COVID hit his business hard, and he fell back into the same trap.”
Laidlaw said Williams was left with “significant debt” from his business struggles and drug use, and was then approached by his dealers to take part in the smuggling operation.
The barrister described it as a “massive fall from grace,” noting that Williams had been a decent and upstanding member of his coastal community. He had represented fishermen for years in meetings with the government and the King.
Williams worked for a charity called Fishing into the Future, where he served as vice-chair. Through this role, he met the King—then the Prince of Wales—on several occasions, discussing sustainable fishing and ways to attract young people to the industry.
“He has made a terrible series of decisions,” Laidlaw admitted.
Sentencing Williams, Judge Adkin stated: “This was an international conspiracy to smuggle a large quantity of cocaine into the UK.” He described Williams as a “trusted gang member.”
Earlier this month, The Guardian reported that law enforcement agencies had urged people in UK coastal communities to help catch drug gangs. Authorities warned that gangs are increasingly using “at-sea drop-offs” (Asdos), where drug packages are released into the ocean from larger ships for smaller boats to collect and bring ashore via coves and harbours.
There is growing concern that gangs may start using more advanced methods, such as underwater drones—sometimes called narco submarines—to avoid detection by Border Force.
Williams pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import class A drugs. Five other men have been sentenced in connection with the same plot, and one more will be dealt with next month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about this case designed to be clear and in a natural tone
Basic Questions
Who is Fisher
Fisher is a man from the UK who was sentenced to prison for his role in a major plot to smuggle cocaine
What exactly did he do
He was part of a criminal group that tried to import a large amount of cocaine worth around 18 million into the UK
When did this happen
He was sentenced to 22 years in prison in 2023 for crimes that took place in 2020
How is King Charles involved in this
Before his criminal activity Fisher had met the thenPrince Charles in his professional capacity The two events are not connected the meeting was a coincidence and happened years before the crime
Why is this story getting so much attention
Its unusual for someone who has met a senior royal to be involved in such a serious highprofile crime The contrast makes the story stand out
Advanced Detailed Questions
What was his specific role in the plot
Fisher was a key organizer and financier He wasnt just a courier he helped fund and coordinate the operation to import the drugs by private jet
How was he caught
Authorities from the National Crime Agency intercepted communications and gathered evidence that linked him directly to the conspiracy
What was his sentence
He was sentenced to 22 years in prison Another key member of the gang received a 24year sentence
Did King Charles know about his criminal activities
No there is no evidence or suggestion that King Charles had any knowledge of Fishers illegal actions Their brief meeting was entirely separate and unrelated
What is the lesson or takeaway from this story
It highlights that serious organized crime can involve people from all walks of life and that law enforcement agencies like the NCA actively work to dismantle these networks no matter who is involved
Where can I find the original news reports for more details
Reputable UK news sources like the BBC The Guardian and The Daily Mail have published detailed articles on the case You can search for Fisher cocaine smuggling King Charles to find them
