Investigation leads to seizure of more than 500 pounds of drugs and 4 arrests
More than 230 kilograms (507 pounds) of cocaine were seized from a delivery of animal feed in the U.K., according to authorities.
Four people have been arrested after an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU), supported by the Metropolitan Police, U.K. Border Force, HMRC (Revenue and Customs) and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
The investigation began in April when a shipping container delivered to a farm near Bridgwater in Somerset, England, containing animal feed was found to contain 189 kilos of cocaine. The container had traveled from Columbia to London Gateway Port.
Seven warrants were carried out in mid-November at properties in West London, which led to four men being arrested and a further 49 kilos of cocaine being seized from a container of oranges imported from South Africa to the Port of Felixstowe.
One man from Southall, Ealing, England, has been charged with conspiring to import class A drugs and remains in custody.
Three other men from West London, ages 31, 51 and 60, have been released while the investigation continues.
“Our investigation has prevented a huge amount of high-purity class A drugs from ending up on our streets, reducing both the threat to communities and the profits of the organized criminals importing and supplying them,” said DCI Paul Fisher from the SWROCU. “The national ROCU network continues to work tirelessly with police forces and law enforcement partners to protect the security and integrity of the U.K. border.”
