A 26-year-old man has admitted being involved in organised crime in the island.

Phillip Nyamande pleaded guilty to conspiracy to remove criminal property to the UK.

Police found £10,000 in cash hidden in his underwear after stopping him on September 2.

He will be sentenced at the Court of General Gaol Delivery.

During a previous court appearance Nyamande, of Mountain View, Ballaugh, also pleaded guilty to obstructing a drug search.

A second man, James Spotswood, aged 33, of Townsend Street, Wirral, has previously admitted two offences of conspiracy to remove criminal property from the island to the UK.

He was committed to the higher court on October 5.

Prosecuting advocate James Robinson told the court that Spotswood was a leading member of a cross-jurisdiction organised crime group.

Mr Robinson said that mobile phone data had linked him with Nyamande.

Nyamande was stopped by police on September 2 and tried to make off but was caught.

He was taken to police headquarters and £10,000 in cash was found in his underwear. Messages were found in his phone, between him and Spotswood, regarding a £40,000 unpaid drug debt owed by Nyamande.

The messages from Spotswood told Nyamande that an individual would be visiting his ’bird’s house’ and ’things were going to get nasty’.

Spotswood was then said to have sent him a copy of a booking confirmation from the Steam Packet.

Spotswood arrived on the island on September 1 and the next day, a third man was seen going to Nyamande’s home in Ballaugh.

On September 3, phone messages were viewed which showed the third man allegedly arranging to meet Nyamande at Douglas Rugby Club to exchange cash.

Spotswood was arrested in the UK by the organised crime drug unit and brought to the island.

Messages were found on his phone relating to the arrangement of money being removed from the island.

Mr Robinson said that a Newton Hearing to settle the facts of the case is likely to be necessary as Nyamande is admitting only involvement with the £10,000 found on him and not the £40,000.

Spotswood may also need a Newton Hearing as he is also said to be disputing some facts.

The prosecutor submitted that the case should go to the Court of General Gaol Delivery and said: ’This is a very serious case involving significant organised crime and a number of individuals on a cross jurisdictional basis.’

Advocate Paul Glover, representing Nyamande, agreed that the case should go to the higher court for sentencing.

No bail application was made and he is remanded in custody.

Both Nyamande and Spotswood will appear at the higher court on November 5 and will be sentenced on a date to be set, depending on whether Newton Hearings are required.