Robert Bryan leading Alex Shanks in £40million South American drug importation case

The trial and sentence has concluded following an 8-week trial with Robert Bryan leading Alex Shanks for the defendant Watts in a multi-handed case heard at Portsmouth Crown Court. Robert and Alex were instructed by Hannah Jones and Lewis Foster of Churchers Solicitors.

The case involved the importation of half a tonne of cocaine from South America with a street value of £40million. The drugs were dropped into the English Channel from a container ship and brought ashore on the south coast aboard a high-speed RHIB.

BBC press coverage.

About the Barristers

Robert Bryan was called to the bar in 1992. He is ranked Band 1 Crime in Chambers UK Bar 2027, and ‘Leading Junior’ Tier 1 Crime in Legal500 2027. Robert’s practice covers a wide spectrum of serious crime including homicide, sex-offending, serious fraud and drug conspiracies.

To instruct Robert, please contact his clerks Steve McCarthy or Regan Barns on 020 7404 1881

Alex Shanks was called to the bar in 2022. He has a busy practice both prosecuting and defending across a wide range of offences including violence, drug related crime, sexual offences and driving matters

To instruct Alex, contact his clerks Amie Harris or Chloe Little on 020 7404 1881.