UK`s largest-ever cocaine haul seized on luxury yacht
The UKs largest ever haul of cocaine, worth up to £300 million, has been found on a luxury yacht in Southampton.
The UKs largest ever haul of cocaine, worth up to £300 million, has been found on a luxury yacht in Southampton.
Officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) found the Class A drugs hidden inside a £1 million pleasure cruiser at Southampton docks in June.
The 1.2 ton seizure, which has a purity of 90 per cent, has led to the arrest of seven members of an international drugs ring.
Since the arrests were made, the UKBA has helped Dutch police track members of the crime gang, who were yesterday arrested in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Officers from the UKBAs crime team originally targeted the luxury yacht Louise as it was transported to Southampton from the British Virgin Islands in a cargo ship. Specially trained officers from the Agency spent six days carrying out a thorough search for the contraband.
The drugs were eventually found hidden away deep behind the bathing platform of the yacht, having been packed inside this specially prepared space in Venezuela.
The seizure formed part of an operation with the Dutch police, acting on intelligence provided by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) international intelligence network and in close cooperation with the French customs investigation service.
The cocaine, which originated in South America, is 90 per cent pure, much higher than the average of 63 per cent for cocaine seized in the UK, and is estimated to be worth between £50 million and £300 million based on current wholesale or street value.
Immigration minister Damian Green said: This was a significant drugs seizure which was made possible by the co operation of our international partners. UK Border Agency staff have shown vigilance, dedication and determination to uncover this shipment.
Our efforts have helped bring an international crime gang to book and the message is clear; we will investigate and prosecute anyone who tries to smuggle banned substances through UK borders.
By keeping the border secure we play a key role in stopping drugs entering the UK and in reducing the harm they do to our communities. We aim to protect society from the violence and corruption that always accompanies the trade in illegal goods.
Among those arrested were a 60-year old man from Meppel and his three sons, aged 34, 32 and 27, from Heusden and Waalwijk.
The other suspects are a 66-year old man from Den Bosch and two men aged 44 from Amsterdam, one of whom is alleged to have ordered the shipment of drugs. During the raids a firearm and 40,000 of cash were also discovered.
Last week naval forces from the US and Honduras recovered 2.5 tonnes of cocaine from a semi-submersible craft intercepted off the Honduran coast.
It is believed that there were more than five tonnes of cocaine on the vessel. Honduras is on a key route used by cartels trafficking drugs to the US.