According to recent reports, authorities have intercepted a staggering £10 million worth of cocaine during a routine check on a container ship docked at a port in Kent.
The ship, registered in Panama and carrying a shipment of bananas destined for the Netherlands, was found to harbor 137 kilos (302 pounds) of the illicit substance cleverly concealed within four large holdalls positioned beneath the water line in the sea chest, an area typically utilized for maintaining ship stability.
A collaborative effort by the National Crime Agency (NCA), the Metropolitan Police, and Border Force led to the discovery. Despite challenging conditions, a specialized team of Metropolitan Police divers, with the support of the Border Force National Deep Rummage Team and Peel Ports, successfully recovered the hidden drugs from behind secured grills after a meticulous five-hour operation.
David Phillips, NCA’s operations manager, emphasized the significance of the discovery, stating, "This incident highlights the extraordinary lengths to which criminal networks are willing to go to smuggle dangerous substances like cocaine into circulation.
The control and distribution of such class A drugs by criminal factions often result in violence and exploitation within our communities." Phillips also expressed gratitude to the Metropolitan Police's Diving Team for their dedication and efforts under demanding circumstances.
This seizure marks one of only two instances in the UK where such underwater concealments of class A drugs have been uncovered. In a separate operation in Bristol back in November 2021, 46 kilos (101.4 pounds) of cocaine were seized.
Commenting on the intricate diving operation, a spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police stressed the collaborative and meticulous planning involved in managing the risks associated with the operation, such as poor visibility, tidal movements, and water depth.
Despite the challenges, the combined determination and coordinated efforts of the teams successfully thwarted the trafficking of a substantial quantity of class A drugs. The NCA is currently coordinating with law enforcement authorities in the Netherlands and Panama as part of ongoing investigations.
Stephen Whitton, deputy director of Border Force Maritime Command, underscored the crucial role of cross-agency cooperation in curbing the influx of illegal substances, affirming the commitment to tirelessly combat drug smuggling activities.
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