UK’s ‘largest ever medication bust’ hidden in a cargo of bananas from South America
The UK’s “largest ever medication bust” has been found hidden in a cargo of bananas from South America.
The National Crime Agency and Border Force consider they’ve made the biggest ever seizure of sophistication A medication within the UK. A whopping 5.7 tonnes of cocaine was discovered stashed in a container at Southampton Port on February 8.
Specialist Border Force officers have been referred to as in by the NCA to look the cargo, which had been flagged by their Near Europe Task Force. The medication have been cleverly hid inside a cargo of bananas that had travelled all the best way from South America.
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(Image: PA)
The NCA reckon the haul was destined for the Port of Hamburg in Germany for additional distribution. They’re now working with worldwide companions throughout Europe to trace down the legal gangs concerned.
Based on road costs right here within the UK, the cocaine might have fetched over £450 million. This beats the earlier document seizures of three.7 tonnes of cocaine additionally discovered at Southampton in 2022, and three.2 tonnes found on-board the tug boat MV Hamal in Scotland in 2015.
(Image: PA)
NCA boss Chris Farrimond stated: “This record-breaking seizure will represent a huge hit to the international organised crime cartels involved, denying them massive profits. The work of the NCA was crucial to making it happen. 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 concentrating on worldwide networks upstream and abroad, disrupting and dismantling them at each step. International legislation enforcement co-operation is crucial to this mission. Working carefully with UK companions like Border Force, we’re decided to do all we will to guard the UK public.”
(Image: PA)
Tom Pursglove MP, Minister for Legal Migration and the Border, stated: “This government takes a zero-tolerance approach to the supply of illegal drugs, and I am grateful to dedicated Border Force officers and the NCA for their work to apprehend this record-breaking seizure.
“This seizure sends a transparent message to criminals that they are going to be caught. Our Border Force officers proceed to work relentlessly to guard our borders and make sure the security and safety of the general public.”
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