£72m of cocaine found at Southampton port - smuggled inside bananas

HUNDREDS of kilos of cocaine has been found being smuggled into the UK inside bananas.
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At the Port of Southampton last Friday, Border Force officers found almost a tonne of cocaine being smuggled into the country inside bananas from Colombia.

The haul, which was heading to Antwerp in Belgium, is believed to have a street value of around £72m.

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The drugs had been concealed in bananas on board a commercial shipping container.

The cocaine, which weighed a total of 946 kilos, was suspected to have been placed in the cargo in Colombia. Picture: Home OfficeThe cocaine, which weighed a total of 946 kilos, was suspected to have been placed in the cargo in Colombia. Picture: Home Office
The cocaine, which weighed a total of 946 kilos, was suspected to have been placed in the cargo in Colombia. Picture: Home Office
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Border Force regional director, Tim Kingsberry, said: ‘This significant seizure has removed a large amount of dangerous drugs from the streets, which not only reduces the significant harm they cause to communities but also makes a huge dent in the profits of smugglers.’

The officers have been praised by home secretary Priti Patel.

She said: ‘This was drug smuggling on an industrial scale so I’m delighted that Border Force officers have prevented such a large quantity of dangerous goods from reaching our streets.

The haul is thought to be worth £76m. Picture: Home OfficeThe haul is thought to be worth £76m. Picture: Home Office
The haul is thought to be worth £76m. Picture: Home Office
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‘Drugs devastate communities, line the pockets of serious criminals, and are a serious driver of the violence which ruins young lives right across the country.

‘We are sending a strong signal to criminals in the UK and abroad seeking to smuggle drugs into or through the UK: your efforts will fail and we will use every part of our law enforcement powers to stop drugs from coming into the UK.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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