Three arrested in London in connection with £84m Australian cocaine haul shipped from Heathrow
Three people have been arrested as part of a major international investigation following the seizure of 500kg of cocaine with a street value of £84 million.
More than £300,000 worth of gold bullion and cash was also seized.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the two women and a man were suspected of being part of a “sophisticated network of criminals” exporting large shipments of cocaine from the UK to Australia via air freight.
It added that those involved had “insider knowledge” of freight systems.
A 56-year-old woman and a man, aged 32, were detained by NCA officers at an address in Hanwell, West London on Monday (June 21). At the same time a 31-year-old woman was arrested at a location in Hounslow.
All three were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to export Class A drugs, fraud and breaches of the Aviation Security Act.
“At the address in Hanwell gold bullion thought to be worth in excess of £250,000 was also seized, along with keys to a safety deposit box containing £60,000 in cash,” said the NCA.
The three suspects were questioned and released under investigation the next day.
The arrests followed the seizure of around 500kg of cocaine at Sydney Airport on May 15.
Australian Border Force officers found the drugs concealed in a consignment described as ‘lift and tailgate parts’, which had been shipped from Heathrow using a UK freight agent.
They estimate the drugs would have had a potential street value of around £84 million.
New South Wales Police Force Organised Crime Squad detectives subsequently arrested three people in connection with their investigation into the importation on May 18.
NCA investigators have identified a number of other similar shipments made from the UK to Australia using a similar method. These are now under investigation.
NCA Branch Commander Andy Noyes said: “Our investigation is looking at a sophisticated network of criminals able to smuggle large quantities of Class A drugs across the globe via air freight.
“Some of those involved appeared to have insider knowledge of freight systems, which they exploited. Protecting the safety and security of the UK is a priority for us.
“Working through our overseas network with our partners in Australia and at home in the UK we are determined to do all we can to track down those involved, and our investigation will continue.”
Mark Bishop, head of Asia Pacific region for NCA International, added: “I’m grateful for the continued cooperation and support of Australian Border Force and the New South Wales Police Force on this investigation.
“This partnership is vital to tackle international serious and organised crime affecting both our countries.”