In a significant crackdown on international crime syndicates, UK authorities intercepted a colossal £450 mln cocaine shipment at Southampton Port, marking the country's largest-ever class A drug seizure.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Border Force discovered 5.7 tons of cocaine concealed within a banana shipment from South America on 8 February, surpassing the previous records of 3.7 tonnes in 2022 and 3.2 tonnes in 2015. NCA director Chris Farrimond emphasized the operation's impact, stating, "This record-breaking seizure will represent a huge hit to the international organised crime cartels involved, denying them massive profits."
5.7 tons of cocaine were found in a container at Southampton Port / Image: NCA
The operation not only targets the immediate haul but also aims at dismantling the criminal networks extending to the UK, where drug gangs yield approximately £4 bln annually. Farrimond highlighted the importance of international cooperation in combating these sophisticated criminal enterprises.
Source: news.sky.com