One of the biggest drugs haul in history discovered at British port with £100m of cocaine seized
One of the biggest drugs haul in history discovered at British port with £100m of cocaine seized
After the vessel was intercepted officers moved 37 large containers out of their way before locating the haul which weighed 2.4 tonnes worth an estimated £96m
The load was discovered on a container vessel at the London Gateway port. It had been travelling from Panama
(Image: Border Force )
Border Force officers in Essex have seized a huge volume of cocaine with a street value of almost £100m. Officers have called the discovery one of the largest drugs busts in recent history.
The load was discovered on a container vessel at the London Gateway port. It had been travelling from Panama.
After the vessel was intercepted at the port in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, officers moved 37 large containers out of their way before locating the haul which weighed 2.4 tonnes worth an estimated £96m.
It makes the haul the sixth largest cocaine seizure since records began, the Home Office said.
In a statement a spokesperson for Border Force said: 'The interception strikes a significant financial and operational blow against the organised crime groups behind its importation and is an example of an intelligence driven outcome to disrupt criminal supply chains.'
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Border Force maritime director Charlie Eastaugh explained: 'This seizure - one of the largest of its kind - is just one example of how dedicated Border Force maritime officers remain one step ahead of criminal gangs who threaten our security.
'Our message to these criminals is clear. More than ever before we are using intelligence and international law enforcement cooperation to disrupt and dismantle your operations.'
Government minister Seema Malhotra added: "Drugs gangs trying to import illegal substances into the UK are a blight on society and we will leave no stone left unturned in our pursuit of organised crime gangs inflicting addiction, misery and death upon Britain's communities."
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