Essex banana shipment contained £232m of cocaine, says NCA
UK authorities seized 2.9 tonnes of cocaine hidden in a shipment of bananas arriving at London Gateway Port. Nine men were arrested in connection with the smuggling operation, which the National Crime Agency estimates to be worth £232 million.
Why it matters
This represents a significant disruption to organized crime networks and highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to intercept large-scale drug trafficking.
Image source, NCA Image caption, The cocaine was taken from Essex to an address in Hertfordshire
Cocaine with a street value of £232m was discovered hidden in a large shipment of bananas from South America.
The 2.9-tonne (2,900kg) haul was smuggled into London Gateway Port in Thurrock, Essex, on Thursday.
The drugs were removed from the container and then delivered to an address near Buntingford, Hertfordshire, where Border Force officers swooped in.
They arrested nine men allegedly connected to the bust, who were later released on bail.
Border Force had been tipped off about the illegal consignment by the National Crime Agency.
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