An investigation has been launched after around one tonne of cocaine, with an estimated street value of £80 million, was seized at London Gateway port, writes Myfanwy Fleming-Jones…
Officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) began inquiries following the discovery, which was made by Border Force on Friday 20 March.
The drugs were concealed within a shipping container that had arrived from Panama. The container carried a cover load of ceramics and kitchenware destined for Norway.
Paul Orchard, NCA Senior Investigating Officer said: “This was a fantastic seizure by our colleagues at Border Force, and taking this amount of cocaine out of circulation will have deprived the organised criminals involved of millions in profits.
Border Force officers uncovered shrink-wrapped packages of cocaine hidden inside several holdalls within the container.
NCA officials believe the UK was not the intended final destination for the shipment. Investigators are now working with international partners to identify and disrupt those responsible.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the NCA on [email protected]
