In one of the UK’s largest drug seizures in a decade, Border Force officers have intercepted 2.4 tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated £96 million (USD 130 million) at London Gateway port.
According to reports, citing Border Force officials, the massive haul was discovered late last month aboard an unidentified container ship arriving from Panama. The complex operation involved the movement of 37 large containers at the Stanford-le-Hope facility to locate the illicit cargo.
Authorities confirmed this marks the UK’s sixth-largest cocaine seizure since record-keeping began. The drugs were discovered during what officials described as an “intelligence-led operation.”
“This interception strikes a significant financial and operational blow against the organised crime groups behind its importation,” said the Border Force in a statement. “It’s a prime example of how intelligence-driven action is disrupting criminal supply chains.”
Charlie Eastaugh, Border Force’s Maritime Director, praised the efforts of his team: “This seizure—one of the largest of its kind — is just one example of how dedicated Border Force maritime officers remain one step ahead of the criminal gangs who threaten our security.”
Eastaugh also emphasised the importance of international cooperation: “More than ever before, we are using intelligence and global law enforcement collaboration to disrupt and dismantle their operations.”
He noted the UK’s ongoing training programs across Latin America aimed at curbing the flow of drugs before they reach British shores.
Government minister Seema Malhotra underscored the broader significance of the operation, calling it a critical step in the fight against “organised crime gangs inflicting addiction, misery, and death upon Britain’s communities.”
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