A drugs kingpin dubbed “the Scottish Tony Soprano” has admitted trying to smuggle £100 million worth of cocaine after it was seized at the UK border in Kent.

Six men pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle the Class A drug through the Port of Dover in a banana shipment from South America.

The seizure of 119 packages had arrived into Kent on a vessel from Ecuador in September 2020.

It followed a lengthy investigation between the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Police Scotland called Operation Pepperoni.

James Stevenson, from Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, was identified as being a key figure in importing the drug when he was arrested while out jogging in Holland two years ago.

The 59-year-old, who was previously listed by the NCA as one of the UK’s 12 most wanted men, was extradited back to the UK after his arrest in The Netherlands and went on trial this month at the high court in Glasgow alongside his accomplices.

Known as 'Iceman', Stevenson was previously likened to Scotland’s Tony Soprano, the mafia boss portrayed in television series The Sopranos, following a conviction and prison sentence in 2007 for money laundering.

He entered a guilty plea this week mid-trial after facing 14 charges.

He has since admitted two charges – of directing a serious criminal offence of importation of cocaine and of being involved in organised crime through the production and supply of etizolam, often known as street Valium.

Co-accused Paul Bowes, 53, pleaded guilty to a charge of being involved in organised crime for the production and supply of etizolam at a string of premises including the Nurai Island Resort in Abu Dhabi, London and Rochester.

Fruit market trader David Bilsland, 67, entered a guilty plea to a charge of agreeing to import cocaine after the court heard evidence that he told a refrigeration engineer he had “done something stupid” and was “going to jail for a long time”.

On Wednesday, Gerard Carbin, 44, and Ryan McPhee, 34, admitted being involved in organised crime through the production and supply of etizolam.

Co-accused Lloyd Cross, 32, entered a guilty plea on the first day of the trial on August 7.

Images of the hoard of fruit were shown to the jury, along with a bag of cocaine seized.

Meanwhile, prosecutors accepted not guilty pleas from Garry McIntyre, 43, and he was allowed to walk free from court.

NCA witnesses gave evidence regarding the infiltration of highly-encrypted network Encrochat, which was intercepted by French law enforcement in April 2020.

Prosecutor Michael Mackintosh told the court in a joint minute of agreed evidence that on September 21, 2020, UK Border Force officials intercepted crates of bananas from Ecuador.

They were addressed to a company called Glasgow Fruit Market but contained a total of 952 blocks of cocaine each weighing 1kg – just less than a tonne in total.

Between May and September 21, 2020, some 18 consignments were shipped to the company – followed by a further two which arrived after law enforcement officers made the discovery.

Forensic officers found the Class A drug was of 73% purity in 119 foil packages, each containing eight blocks of compressed white powder, the court heard.

Police Scotland’s head of organised crime, Dave Ferry, said the gang believed they were “untouchable”.

He explained: “The conviction of this dangerous, organised crime group is testament to a complex investigation which spanned countries across the world.

“The multi-agency operation prevented a massive haul of drugs reaching our communities and ruining lives.

"It also underlines the value of working in partnership with our law enforcement colleagues in this country and abroad."

NCA's regional head of investigations, Gerry Mclean, added: “The drugs trade causes damage and devastation, fuelling violence and the exploitation of young and vulnerable people.

“Following his arrest in 2020, career criminal Stevenson fled the country but continued to direct the importation of cocaine into the UK from abroad, falsely believing he could evade justice.

“His plea today, and admissions of guilt by five of his co-conspirators, are testament to the dedicated work of NCA, Police Scotland and law enforcement colleagues right across the globe.

“We are working tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups who supply Class A drugs, ensuring that all those involved, wherever they choose to hide, are brought before the courts.”

The case was adjourned until Monday at the same court.