'One of biggest drug hauls in UK history' busted as £96m of cocaine found
Border Force officials have made one of the biggest drug busts in years as 2.4 tonnes of cocaine with a value of almost £100 million has been seized. The huge drug haul was found under containers on a ship arriving into London Gateway port from Panama, a Home Office spokesperson said.
Officers detected the shipment earlier this month following an intelligence-led operation. With help from the port operator, officers moved 37 large containers to get to the stash.
With a value of £96 million, it marks the sixth-largest cocaine bust since records began. Minister for migration and citizenship Seema Malhotra said: "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.
"Well done to Border Force Maritime officers on a hugely successful operation, which has struck a major blow against the criminals threatening our country."
Cocaine-related deaths in England and Wales rose by 31% between 2022 and 2023, the Home Office said.
Border Force Maritime director Charlie Eastaugh said: "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 the 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 co-operation to disrupt and dismantle your operations."
Elsewhere this week, guns and drugs worth millions were seized when a lorry was stopped at Dover. The National Crime Agency announced officers had seized 20 guns, 320 rounds of ammunition and 170kg of ketamine from a Lithuanian HGV of the Port of Dover.
The officers, working with Border Force officials, stopped the lorry on Monday, June 23, with officers also finding 4,000 MDMA pills hidden in the vehicle.
NCA investigators have estimated the street value of the ketamine alone would have been around £4.5 million, and £40,000 for the thousands of pills.
The guns are yet to be tested by NCA experts but are believed to be viable pistols. The driver, a 34-year-old Tajikstan national, was arrested on suspicion of smuggling the guns and drugs.
NCA senior investigating officer Darren Herbert said: "With thanks to our Border Force colleagues, an arsenal of deadly firearms, as well as harmful drugs, have been seized before they could reach the criminal supply chain.
"Our investigation to trace and detain the individuals responsible for the attempted importation is ongoing.
"Alongside our domestic and international partners, we are relentless in our efforts to suppress the supply of firearms to UK-based organised crime groups."
Border Force Director for South East Region, Dave Smith said: "This is a significant seizure which demonstrates the vital work Border Force officers do every day to keep lethal weapons and dangerous drugs off our streets.
"The firearms and drugs intercepted could have caused untold damage to our communities if they had reached their intended destination.
"We will continue to work closely with the NCA to bring those responsible to justice and disrupt criminal networks involved in smuggling."
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