Almost £20 million worth of cocaine has been seized at Portsmouth Docks, prompting an investigation by the National Crime Agency.
Border Force officers supporting the NCA discovered 240kg of the Class A drug on Wednesday, 22 July.
The cocaine was found hidden inside crates of bananas aboard the MV Atlantic Klipper, a refrigerated cargo ship which had arrived in Portsmouth after travelling from South America via the Caribbean.
Investigators estimate the drugs would have had a street value of approximately £19.2 million.
With support from the Joint Operations Unit, which comprises officers from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Thames Valley Police, the cocaine was transported to a secure location.
Matteo Sole, NCA senior investigating officer, said: “This is a significant seizure of cocaine and will deprive the organised crime group behind it of profit that cannot now fund further offending.
“The NCA works at home with partners such as Border Force, and abroad, to combat the threat of Class A drugs and the toxic effect they have on society.”
The National Crime Agency’s investigation into the seizure is continuing.
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