A prominent drug dealer from the UK, who tried to smuggle in cocaine and ketamine worth £20 million, was apprehended while enjoying himself at Ibiza’s renowned Pacha nightclub.

Eddie Burton, aged 23, had packaged more than 300 kilograms of class A and B drugs in vacuum-sealed bags while staying in an apartment in Amsterdam, prior to the drugs being loaded onto trucks destined for the UK.

Law enforcement officers uncovered 142 kilos of cocaine and 25 kilos of heroin concealed in a modified fuel tank at the Dover port.

Burton, together with his former partner Sian Banks, aged 25, admitted to several drug-related crimes in February, as reported by Liverpool Echo.

During the trial, Banks was sentenced to five years in prison, while Burton’s sentencing was postponed by Judge Simon Taylor KC due to suspicions of him being a victim of modern slavery.

Burton appeared in Canterbury Crown Court with his former partner for a trial on Friday. Judge Taylor then proceeded to sentence Burton to a 19-year prison term.

Having resided between the Netherlands and Spain since leaving the UK in 2021, Burton was apprehended by authorities at Ibiza’s Pacha nightclub for separate drug-related offenses.

NCA Senior Investigating Officer John Turner stated: “Burton, with assistance from Banks, tried to illegally bring large quantities of harmful drugs into the UK, believing he could operate without consequences abroad.

“Banks played a crucial role in the criminal operation, laundering the illicit profits and serving as the UK-based facilitator for the multi-million pound drug imports.

“The drugs, if they had reached their intended destination, would have had a devastating impact on our communities, fueling violence and exploiting vulnerable individuals throughout the supply chain.”

Banks pleaded guilty to seven charges on February 3, including importing class A drugs and money laundering. Judge Taylor informed her that when she entered a relationship with Burton, they both engaged in serious international criminal activities.

Subsequently, Burton admitted to four counts of smuggling class A and B drugs. His sentencing was delayed multiple times after he handed a letter to the judge in February, claiming he had been coerced to go abroad to settle a debt. Burton wrote in the letter: “There were alternative actions I could have taken, but threats against my family’s safety were made.”

After reviewing the letter, the judge remarked on the mentions of possible modern slavery and the need to carefully consider the situation before proceeding with sentencing. The court was informed that Burton was considered “a significant part of a larger operation,” leading to a delay until all the facts were clarified.

<p class="Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh "data-tmdat