Firm boss alleged to be part of drugs plot

A West Midlands businessman was at the centre of a conspiracy to import cocaine valued at about £300,000, a trial has heard.

Richard John Williams, aged 45, is alleged to have allowed his business Aldridge Interiors to be used as "a front".

He is alleged to be part of the plot to import 6kg of cocaine in a package of books from the Dominican Republic. Williams, of Marshall Close, in Aldridge, denies two counts of concealing criminal property, one count of conspiracy to contravene custom and excise and a fourth of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

He was arrested in April 2008 following Operation Barussa, a Serious and Organised Crime Unit investigation into the importation of cocaine.

Prosecuting barrister Mr Andrew Lockhart told a jury at Birmingham Crown Court that Williams's claim that he had been involved in the selling of cigarettes and tobacco, but not drugs was a tissue of 'truth and lies'.

Mr Lockhart told the court sums of about £1million had passed through the business based in Portland Road.

"Essentially he admits to what the evidence shows, but seeks to explain that it makes him innocent of all the charges," he said. "This is a man whose credibility is utterly shot through."

Mr Lockhart told the court Williams and four others were involved in a conspiracy to launder huge sums of cash and that a large quantity of drugs was part of the activity.

His co-accused are Lee Paul Wilson, aged 21, of Elmore Close, Binley; and Justin Paul Hanarah, aged 35, of Queen Margaret Road, Canley, both Coventry; Stephen Kwon On Man, aged 50, of Sunbury-on Thames, Surrey and his daughter Cecilia Ci Ci Ying, aged 28, of Ashford, also Surrey. The trial continues.