Suspected drug dealer Jamie Acourt has appeared in court today charged over a £4 million cannabis smuggling plot.
Acourt, 42, was captured in Spain and was charged last night with conspiracy to supply class B drugs after he was extradited and arrived on a flight back to the UK yesterday (Wed).
Armed cops swooped on Acourt as he left the Metropolitan Sagrada Familia Gym in Barcelona May 4.
Acourt, from Bexley, south east London, was held in the Catalan city following a joint operation involving NCA, Scotland Yard and Spanish police.
He was wanted by Met Police detectives probing the large-scale supply of drugs.
Acourt, who was apprehended on a European Arrest Warrant, appeared at court in Madrid last month for an extradition hearing.
He was brought back to the UK on a flight from the Spanish capital yesterday and appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today (Thurs).
Appearing in the dock wearing a tight black gym t-shirt, black jeans and his hair scraped back in a bun, carrying a book, and sporting a tan, Acourt was flanked by one security guard after being held in custody at Heathrow Airport.
He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth and to add he did not have a UK home address.
Henry Fitch prosecuting said: “The charge sheet reads that over a period of 25 months there was a conspiracy to supply cannabis, a quality in excess of three to four tonnes, with 34 to 35 trips abroad.
“The Crown say he was at the head of he conspiracy.”
John Kearney defending did not apply for bail and Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot remanded Acourt in custody.
Acourt will next appear in court at Kingston Crown Court on July 5.
By Ben Gelblum and Chris Dyer