Deceased 80s reggae singer Smiley Culture paid for drugs mules to traffic cocaine from the Caribbean to the UK, a court heard.

The star, whose real name was David Emmanuel, funded five all expenses paid trips to Barbados for the mules, who would bring their suitcases straight to the star's Warlingham home following their return to the UK, prosecution lawyers claimed.

The evidence was heard at Croydon Crown Court, in the trial of Lloyd McCalla, 51, of Dagenham, and Carlene Wilson, 27, of Ilford, who both deny conspiring to supply cocaine.

McCalla's son Ryan, 30, has already pleaded guilty to the charge.

Earlier in the trial, prosecutor Tom Little told the court Mr Emmanuel was the main organiser of the conspiracy and needed the help of the McCallas to distribute the drugs.

The prosecution claim it was at Mr Emmanuel's house that a bag containing cocaine was handed over and taken out by Ryan to a taxi, where Wilson was waiting.

Mr Emmanuel, 48, was on bail for conspiracy to supply cocaine, when he stabbed himself through the heart during a drugs raid at his Surrey mansion in Hillbury Road, Warlingham, on March 15, last year.

The court heard on February 27, 2010, five British women who were travelling together, were arrested at the Grantley Adams airport in Barbados.

Three of the women were carrying suitcases containing a total of just under 30kg of cocaine.

David Emmanuel, his daughter and a man called Orville Thomas were also intending to travel back on the same flight.

The five women had flown out to Barbados on February 16, 2010, with Mr Emmanuel his daughter and Mr Thomas flying out three days later.

Mr Little said: "David Emmanuel had paid for the flights and hotel costs for the five women in cash.

"The three women who were found to be in possession of the cocaine were all charged with drug offences in Barbados.

"One of the women, Sandra Matthews, who did not have any drugs in her suitcase, also pleaded guilty to a drugs charge. The fifth woman was released without charge."

The court heard prior to that trip to Barbados, four other trips had taken place which had followed a similar pattern, although on those trips David Emmanuel had travelled on the same flights as the women, but had not associated with them.

Sandra Matthews told police she went on all five trips to Barbados, and said Mr Emmanuel had paid for all of the flights and hotel costs in relation to the five trips.

Mr Little said: "In relation to the trip that led to her arrest, she said David Emmanuel recruited her and gave her money to pay the women, he also provided spending money.

"Telephone, flight and hotel booking information is consistent with the account Sandra Matthew provided to the police.

"It is the facts relating to the five trips to Barbados which is what David Emmanuel was arrested for on March 15, 2011."

The trial continues.