LONDON (AP) — British authorities seized 2.4 metric tons of cocaine in a ship arriving in England from Panama, authorities stated Saturday, calling it one of many U.Ok.’s greatest drug busts in years.
The medication, valued at 96 million kilos ($132 million), had been discovered beneath containers on a vessel at London Gateway port, east of the British capital. The cargo was found after what officers stated was an intelligence-led operation.
Britain’s inside ministry, the Residence Workplace, stated it was the sixth-largest cocaine seizure on document.
U.Ok. Border Pressure Maritime director Charlie Eastaugh stated the seizure was “only one instance of how devoted Border Pressure maritime officers stay one step forward of the felony gangs who threaten our safety.
“Our message to those criminals is evident — greater than ever earlier than, we’re utilizing intelligence and worldwide legislation enforcement co-operation to disrupt and dismantle your operations.”
Britain is one in every of Europe’s greatest markets for cocaine, in accordance with the Nationwide Crime Company. The U.Ok. authorities says cocaine-related deaths in England and Wales rose by 31% between 2022 and 2023.