Glen Burns, David Weir and Clifford ‘Trigger’ Irons are all on remand
The case against the trio, named as high-ranking UDA members in court, is based on conversations recorded by NCA bugs hidden in a car.
A fourth suspect, 33-year-old Daniel Vance, faces the same charge, however he appeared separately in the dock from his co-defendants after a prosecution lawyer revealed he had made significant statements .
Reeling from the NCA investigation, insiders say Fisher has decided to call a temporary halt to all South East Antrim UDA drug importation.
But the move has proved unpopular with the gang s commanders in the Rathcoole estate in Newtownabbey, who rely heavily on the income brought in from the sale of cocaine and cannabis.
Scotch Brian McLean
The smuggling plot took place in 2017 during a jail visit by Sanders to Scotch Brian, who was on remand charged with the murder of rival loyalist Geordie Gilmore. He was later cleared of involvement.
A loyalist source said both cases prove the South East Antrim UDA, led by Gary Fisher, is nothing more than a crime gang. All South East Antrim cares about is making money from drug dealing and extortion, they added. Fisher and his mates let on they are big loyalists, but the truth of the matter is they are nothing more than gangsters.
Carrickfergus-based Chantelle Crozier led a group of lily-white female drug mules in the Co Antrim coastal town who delivered cocaine for the South East Antrim UDA.