Another suspect arrested in UK’s biggest ever drugs racket
Another suspected member of an international organised crime group responsible for importing in excess of 50 tonnes of drugs believed to be worth billions of pounds into the UK from the Netherlands has been arrested as part of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation.
The man, aged 58, was arrested yesterday (October 30) in Tarporley, Cheshire, on suspicion of conspiracy to import Class A and B drugs, and his house was searched. He remains in custody for questioning.
The arrest comes just weeks after 15 men were detained during dawn raids and charged as part of the same investigation.
The group is believed to be part of the UK arm of a well-established organised crime group that used Dutch and British front companies to import heroin, cocaine and cannabis – hidden in lorry loads of vegetables and juice – through UK ports over an 18-month period.
Jayne Lloyd, NCA Regional Head of Investigations, said: “This arrest is another significant step in our investigation and we are continuing to work with our partners at home and abroad to target organised criminals damaging our communities.”
The Dutch National Police, Europol, Eurojust, Police of Finland National Bureau of Investigation, Border Force, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and a number police forces supported the NCA investigation.
Four men and two women from the Netherlands were also arrested in April by the Dutch National Police on European Arrest Warrants. They are currently awaiting extradition to the UK.
