AN ILKLEY man has become the fifth person to be charged in Britain over an international cocaine bust off the coast of Ireland last year.
James Andrew Hill, 30, was arrested by officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) at his home in Hampshire Close over the Makayabella sting.
The luxury yacht (pictured) was intercepted after crossing the Atlantic from Caribbean waters with about a tonne of cocaine on board valued at about £160 million.
Hill was charged with conspiring to import Class A drugs and was remanded in custody following an appearance at Wakefield Magistrates' Court, the NCA said.
He is due before Leeds Crown Court on July 15.
The Makayabella was intercepted in poor condition by Irish authorities 200 miles off the south-west coast of Ireland in September last year.
Last week, David Webster, 44, of Rillmead, Otley, and Philip McElhone, 29, of Freemantle Place, Halton Moor, Leeds, both appeared via video link at Leeds Crown Court.
They both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import Class A drugs between March 1, 2014, and September 29, 2014.
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