A man charged alongside MPPatricia Gordon-Pamplin's estranged husband with smuggling millions of dollars of drugs into the Island, has officially confessed to his role in the international conspiracy.

And Brian Henry has also admitted that he acted as a gun-runner – receiving and transporting firearms within the US and overseas – while conducting his illegal trade.

Yesterday, US prosecutors refused to say whether guns were concealed within the Bermuda-bound shipments of illicit contraband that allegedly left New York's docks between 2001 and July of this year.

But Henry has now pleaded guilty to four charges of drug smuggling and arms dealing – offences that carry a minimum of 20 years in jail.

Americans Henry and Dennis Pamplin were arrested by New Jersey narcotics officers in a warehouse swoop in July of this year following a months-long surveillance operation by undercover cops and special agents. Pamplin's wife, Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin, is a leading Opposition MP and the Island's Shadow Works and Engineering Minister.

New Jersey's Drug Enforcement Agency said in a statement at the time that both suspects were brought in for questioning "after a police dog sniffed out 700lbs of marijuana hidden inside concrete pillars at a warehouse in Orange, New Jersey".

Pamplin, who has been in custody since his arrest, has always maintained his innocence. However, his alleged partner in crime made several statements under interrogation, acknowledging his role in the drugs conspiracy.

According to documents obtained by The Royal Gazette, Henry told investigators that he oversaw the packing of "approximately five such shipments which contained marijuana weighing a total of approximately 2,100 pounds, or approximately 955 kilograms", which were destined for Bermuda.

Following their arrest, both men were charged with conspiring to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana – with an estimated street value in Bermuda of $15 million.

Appearing in Manhattan's Southern District Court, Henry pleaded guilty to four counts – including the illegal possession with intent to supply of 1,000 kilogrammes of a substance containing marijuana, the illegal possession with intent to supply of 500 grammes of cocaine, and the illegal importation of firearms.

The offences took place between 2001 and this year.Count four of the indictment reads: "From in or about 2002 through in or about 2004, in the District of New Jersey and elsewhere, Brian Henry, the defendant, not being a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, and licensed dealer unlawfully, willfully and knowingly, did engage in the business of dealing in firearms, and in the course of such business, did receive and transport firearms in interstate and foreign commerce."

Yesterday, a spokeswoman for South Manhattan District Attorney confirmed that Henry had pleaded guilty to all counts and will be sentenced in May 2009. He was remanded in custody pending sentence.

Pamplin, also known as 'King', is currently in custody awaiting trial on the same charges as his co-accused. He is scheduled to appear in court on February 13.