Beach forager stumbles across $83m cocaine haul

A man who couldn't believe his luck when he found 356kg of cocaine washed up on his local beach is now facing a prison sentence.

Julian Underhill, 34, was walking along the beach at Caister-on-Seat near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk in the UK when he stumbled across a haul of cocaine worth $83m.

He sent a text message to a friend describing it as scoring "Willy Wonka's golden ticket", The Telegraph reports.

Norwich Crown Court heard how 356kgs of the Class A drug washed up on the beach last February.

While most of the cocaine was recovered by police after members of the public reported it, Underhill could not resist pocketing some for himself.

He admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine between November 1, 2016 and March 4, 2017 and to possessing cocaine on March 3, 2017.

Andrew Oliver, acting for Underhill, told the court Underhill was a user of cannabis and crack cocaine.

He also said Underhill had supplied some of the beach cocaine while also using some of it.

Prosecutor Chris Youell has accepted Underhill had no involvement in the consignment of the cocaine and had just found it.

"He is not of that ilk," he said.

It is believed the bags of cocaine were tied to bouys offshore by smugglers so they could be brought ashore by smaller boats.

However, it is thought the bags ended up on the beach after being swept away by strong winds and waves.

Judge Katharine Moore has adjourned sentencing until October 31.

"On the face of it, custody here is inevitable," she said.