THE alleged mastermind of a half a million pound cocaine dealing empire in Blackpool carried on running his business while on the run in Spain, a court was told.
Amateur Fylde coast footballer Lee Broadbent allegedly fled to Malaga after detectives began to close in on him.
It is claimed he had a team of 15 people working for him by pedalling drugs from the resort.
Broadbent, 32, formerly of Mains Lane, Poulton, remains in Spain while seven other men have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine between June 1, 2011, and January 12 this year.
Six men and two women are now on trial at Preston Crown Court facing the same charge.
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