Secretary ‘helped run huge coke network’

The partner of one of Britain’s biggest cocaine barons helped him run his worldwide narcotics network from a sleepy village in the Cotswolds, a court heard.

Anni Rowland, 52, was a ‘PA’ for Kevin Hanley and took care of his affairs from her home in the picturesque town of Stow-on-the-Wold, it is claimed.

Hanley, 53, a former grocer, was jailed last year after admitting smuggling millions of pounds worth of cocaine in shipments of watermelons, pomegranates and broccoli.

He set up two shell companies – ICC 2009 Ltd and Paris Western – which purported to be importing fruit and veg to act as a front for his drug ring.

But investigators found that after his release from prison for the matters in 2006, he hadn’t declared a penny of legitimate income to HMRC.

His empire was smashed by the National Crime Agency after a massive surveillance operation which included bugging his home in Fulham.

He was juggling two women – Rowland, the mother of his son – and glamorous Greek television presenter Chrysi Minadaki, 45, who has also been jailed for her role in the conspiracy.

Minadaki would travel with him all over the world to negotiate the drug deals, while Rowland was busily organising his flights and his accommodation.

She would also transfer him large sums of cash for his business dealings, it is said.

Officers raided the Chelsea home of co-conspirator John Fowler, 58, on November 24, 2012 and recovered £2m in cash, around £2.5m worth of top grade cocaine, £100,000 of amphetamines and £61,000 of skunk cannabis.

Prosecutor Richard Jory QC said the drugs ring involved dozens of people across the world and was ‘well planned and well organised’.

Rowland commuted with her son between the Cotswolds town and London, the Old Bailey heard, while Minadaki had a plush flat in Cadogan Square in Westminster.

Mr Jory said: ‘Ms Rowland booked flights and accommodation for Hanley and Fowler around Europe.

‘She made charges for payment where money became due. She arranged for the transfer of money to Hanley when he needed it, for example when he was travelling abroad.

‘She occasionally attended meetings with him and was present with him in September 2014 when the prosecution say there was a decision made that was picked up on a secret listening device about drug arrangements and procedural matters.

‘Her finger prints were found in due course on items, including the £2 million in cash.

‘There were also writings and notes indicating that she was familiar with cash – perhaps counting the cash and making a note of the quantities stored at Mr Fowler’s address.

‘It appears to be, at least at one stage, a safe house for cash and property in this criminal conspiracy.

‘She had an active role dealing with the money that was stored at that address.

‘The evidence in this case is not in dispute, what is in dispute is the involvement of this defendant.’

Mr Jory told the court Hanley had already been jailed for exactly the same charges facing Rowland.

He said: ‘Mr Hanley came before this court and he plead guilty to the same four counts.

‘He admitted that he was connected in a conspiracy to supply drugs.

‘It proves the crown assertion that there was a conspiracy.’

Mr Jory continued: ‘Was Ms Rowland part of this conspiracy? There was undeniably a conspiracy, ultimately it’s going to be for you to decide whether she was part of it.’

Rowland, of Georges Field, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham, denies conspiracy to supply cocaine, amphetamines, cannabis and money laundering.