FOOTAGE from the dramatic multi-agency operation to stop drugs being trafficked into the UK has been released.
On Thursday night, officers from the National Crime Agency, Australian Federal Police and Border Force swooped on a luxury yacht 80 miles off the coast of Plymouth.
Update: North East man charged with drug trafficking offences after yacht seized
Border Force Maritime Command’s 42-metre cutter ‘Searcher’ and 19-metre coastal patrol vessel ‘Alert’ had covertly identified and monitored the Kahu’s movements.
In international waters north of Guernsey, specialist highly-skilled Border Force and NCA officers carried out the complex interdiction and boarding of the Kahu.
The Kahu – a luxury Jamaican-flagged yacht sailing from the Caribbean – was escorted back to an undisclosed locatoin on the mainland where a team carried out a deep search of the vessel and discovered a huge haul of class A drugs.
Parcels of cocaine were found inside black waterproof bags, along with buoyancy aids, Officers removed the drugs and stacked them in blocks, making clear the scale of the operation – with more than two tonnes of cocaine seized.
The NCA said it had an estimated value of £160 million and there is “no doubt” it would have been sold on into communities across the UK.
They also arrested six men who were on board the yacht, including one Briton from Stockton-on-Tees, on suspicion of drug trafficking.
They are currently held in custody awaiting interview.
Read more: Stockton man arrested in drugs trafficking swoop on yacht
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