A HAUL of cocaine with an estimated value of £6 million has been seized by Border Force officers in Portsmouth.
Officers from the UK Border Agency discovered the packages of cocaine in a refrigerated container which had been unloaded from the vessel Star Quality at Flathouse Quay around midday, last Friday.
The boat, which had come from Turbo, Colombia, via Antwerp, was carrying a load of bananas.
The grade A drug was found in 50 wrapped packages hidden in the container. The drugs, weighing around 60kg, could have had a potential value of about £6m when cut and sold on the street.
Andy Lumb, of Border Force, said: ‘This was an excellent detection by our officers as the inside of the container initially appeared not to have been tampered with.
‘Our officers are on constant alert to keep drugs, other smuggled goods and illegal persons out of the UK.
‘We are determined to prevent this terrible trade which can have such a destructive impact on the lives of so many.’
No arrests have been made but investigations are ongoing.
The UKBA has only released information about the seizure today.
Anyone who has information on suspected smuggling or immigration offences can visit http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/contact/report-crime/ or call the Border Force hotline on 0800 59 5000.