Adkins started his career in robbery and, as with many criminal figures during that period, moved into drug smuggling, primarily cannabis.
He had a reputation for a quick temper and for being very physically imposing and strong and was a feared figure for many years.
Adkins was implicated in April 1990 in the murder in Spain of former train robber Charles Wilson[2] although this was never proven.
Adkins was involved in a fight and shootout with Bruinsma in the famous Amsterdam night club/brothel Yab Yum and his refusal to submit or back down to Bruinsma is widely believed to have directly led to his murder.
[6] In 1993, police considered reopening the investigation into the killing of Adkins and Wilson due to the January 1993 assassination of British businessman Donald Urquhart in London.