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The world’s drug smugglers were dealt another major blow this month as the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Border Force in the United Kingdom recently performed a record seizure of cocaine.
During the bust which took place earlier this month, 5.7 tonnes (6.28 US tons) of cocaine was discovered by Border Force officers in a container at Southampton Port.
The Border Force officers had been called in by the NCA who identified the suspect shipment through its Near Europe Task Force, according to a press release.
The cocaine was found hidden within a cargo of bananas which had been transported to the U.K. from South America. The drugs were believed to be en route to the Port of Hamburg in Germany.
It is believed the drugs would have had a UK street value of £450 million.
NCA investigators believe the haul was heading to the Port of Hamburg in Germany for onward delivery and enquiries are ongoing to identify the criminal networks involved. pic.twitter.com/WHGHkLp5lw
— National Crime Agency (NCA) (@NCA_UK) February 23, 2024
The seized cocaine has a current estimated street value in excess of £450 million ($570 million).
“This record-breaking seizure will represent a huge hit to the international organized crime cartels involved, denying them massive profits. The work of the NCA was crucial to making it happen,” said NCA Director Chris Farrimond.
“While the destination for the consignment was continental Europe in this case, I have no doubt that a significant proportion would have ended up back here in the UK, being peddled by UK criminal gangs.
“The NCA is targeting international networks upstream and overseas, disrupting and dismantling them at every step. International law enforcement co-operation is essential to this mission.”
The previous records for largest seizure of class A drugs in the UK were 3.7 tonnes (4.1 US tons) of cocaine that were also confiscated at Southampton in 2022, and 3.2 tonnes (3.5 US tons) discovered on-board the tug boat MV Hamal in Scotland in 2015.
“This seizure sends a clear message to criminals that they will be caught,” said Tom Pursglove MP, Minister for Legal Migration and the Border. “Our Border Force officers continue to work relentlessly to protect our borders and ensure the safety and security of the public.”
This record-breaking seizure will represent a huge hit to the criminal cartels involved, denying them massive profits.
Working closely with UK partners like Border Force, we are determined to do all we can to protect the UK public.#ProudToProtect #NCA pic.twitter.com/1CBhAgRMu5
— National Crime Agency (NCA) (@NCA_UK) February 23, 2024
Earlier this month, United States Customs and Border Protection officers announced that they had made a record seizure of six and a half tons of meth valued at more than $117 million.
In January, almost 22 tons of cocaine worth $1.1 billion was seized in another record bust by Ecuador’s Armed Forces.