UK police seize record 5.7 tonnes of cocaine hidden in bananas

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A handout picture released by the National Crime Agency (NCA) on February 22, 2024 shows packages of cocaine seized at the harbour of Southampton southern England announced the Organised Crime Agency (NCA). On February 8, 2024 British police made a record seizure of 5.7 tonnes of cocaine in a container in the port of Southampton. The cocaine, with a street value of more than £450 million (Ä525 million) according to UK market prices, was concealed in a cargo of bananas from South America. NCA investigators believe that the final destination of the goods was the German port of Hamburg. (Photo by Handout / NATIONAL CRIME AGENCY / AFP)

British police said Friday that they had made what is believed to be its biggest ever seizure of serious drugs.

The National Crime Agency said that 5.7 tonnes (5,700 kg) of cocaine were found in a container at the port of Southampton on England’s south coast on 8 February.

The drug haul was discovered hidden in a cargo of bananas which had been transported from South America, the agency said in a statement.

A handout picture released by the National Crime Agency (NCA) on February 22, 2024 shows packages of cocaine hidden between bananas seized at the harbour of Southampton southern England announced the Organised Crime Agency (NCA). On February 8, 2024 British police made a record seizure of 5.7 tonnes of cocaine in a container in the port of Southampton. The cocaine, with a street value of more than £450 million (€525 million) according to UK market prices, was concealed in a cargo of bananas from South America. NCA investigators believe that the final destination of the goods was the German port of Hamburg. (Photo by Handout / NATIONAL CRIME AGENCY / AFP)

It had an estimated value of £450 million ($568 million) based on UK street prices, the NCA added.

Officers believe the drugs were heading to Hamburg in Germany “for onward delivery”, the statement said.

“This record-breaking seizure will represent a huge hit to the international organised crime cartels involved, denying them massive profits,” said NCA director Chris Farrimond.

The previous largest seizure of drugs in the UK was 3.7 tonnes of cocaine found in Southampton in 2022.

The NCA estimates that criminal gangs make around £4 billion a year from Britain’s illegal cocaine market.

© Agence France-Presse