Latest news with #BorderForce
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
More than $130 million in cocaine recovered from ship in London port by U.K. authorities
Combating narco-subs and narco-terrorism in the U.S. and abroad British authorities seized 2.4 metric tons of cocaine in a ship arriving in England from Panama, authorities said Saturday, calling it one of the U.K.'s biggest drug busts in years. The drugs, valued at 96 million pounds ($132 million), were found under containers on a vessel at London Gateway port, east of the British capital. The shipment was discovered after what officials said was an intelligence-led operation. Britain's interior ministry, the Home Office, said it was the sixth-largest cocaine seizure on record. U.K. Border Force Maritime director Charlie Eastaugh said the seizure was "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," he said. Britain is one of Europe's biggest markets for cocaine, according to the National Crime Agency. The U.K. government says cocaine-related deaths in England and Wales rose by 31% between 2022 and 2023. Last week, the Mexican navy seized 3.5 tons of cocaine hidden in a semisubmersible vessel off the Pacific coast, releasing video of the "narco sub" being intercepted. In April, a U.S. Coast Guard crew seized roughly 10,000 pounds of cocaine from a fishing boat in the Atlantic Ocean, the agency said. The haul was worth an estimated $74 million.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
U.K. authorities seize cocaine worth more than US$130 million from a ship at London port
Shipping containers wait to be processed at London Gateway port, in Stanford-le-Hope, on the Thames estuary east of London, England, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo, File) LONDON — British authorities seized 2.4 metric tons of cocaine in a ship arriving in England from Panama, authorities said Saturday, calling it one of the U.K.'s biggest drug busts in years. The drugs, valued at 96 million pounds (US$132 million), were found under containers on a vessel at London Gateway port, east of the British capital. The shipment was discovered after what officials said was an intelligence-led operation. Britain's interior ministry, the Home Office, said it was the sixth-largest cocaine seizure on record. U.K. Border Force Maritime director Charlie Eastaugh said the seizure was '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.' Britain is one of Europe's biggest markets for cocaine, according to the National Crime Agency. The U.K. government says cocaine-related deaths in England and Wales rose by 31 per cent between 2022 and 2023. The Associated Press
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
UK authorities seize cocaine worth more than $130 million from a ship at London port
British authorities seized 2.4 metric tons of cocaine in a ship arriving in England from Panama, authorities said Saturday, calling it one of the U.K.'s biggest drug busts in years. The drugs, valued at 96 million pounds ($132 million), were found under containers on a vessel at London Gateway port, east of the British capital. The shipment was discovered after what officials said was an intelligence-led operation. Britain's interior ministry, the Home Office, said it was the sixth-largest cocaine seizure on record. U.K. Border Force Maritime director Charlie Eastaugh said the seizure was '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.' Britain is one of Europe's biggest markets for cocaine, according to the National Crime Agency. The U.K. government says cocaine-related deaths in England and Wales rose by 31% between 2022 and 2023.
Associated Press
3 hours ago
- Associated Press
UK authorities seize cocaine worth more than $130 million from a ship at London port
LONDON (AP) — British authorities seized 2.4 metric tons of cocaine in a ship arriving in England from Panama, authorities said Saturday, calling it one of the U.K.'s biggest drug busts in years. The drugs, valued at 96 million pounds ($132 million), were found under containers on a vessel at London Gateway port, east of the British capital. The shipment was discovered after what officials said was an intelligence-led operation. Britain's interior ministry, the Home Office, said it was the sixth-largest cocaine seizure on record. U.K. Border Force Maritime director Charlie Eastaugh said the seizure was '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.' Britain is one of Europe's biggest markets for cocaine, according to the National Crime Agency. The U.K. government says cocaine-related deaths in England and Wales rose by 31% between 2022 and 2023.
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Telegraph
Tajik lorry driver arrested after £4.5m of ketamine seized at Dover
A Tajikistan national was apprehended at Dover port attempting to smuggle £4.5 million worth of ketamine into the UK. Border Force officers uncovered a haul of 20 handguns, 320 rounds of ammunition, 170kg of ketamine and more than 4,000 MDMA pills hidden inside a Lithuanian-registered lorry on Monday. The driver, a 34-year-old male from Tajikistan, was arrested on suspicion of smuggling the contraband. He has since been released from custody on bail as enquiries continue. The National Crime Agency (NCA) investigators said that the handguns were 'viable pistols' and estimated the street value of the ketamine was £4.5 million, and £40,000 for the MDMA pills. Photos released by the NCA show large packets of powdered ketamine in clear plastic bags were stuffed inside cardboard boxes inside the lorry. Darren Herbert, the NCA senior investigating officer, 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.' Dave Smith, Border Force director for the south east region, added: '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.'
