Record Cocaine Haul Worth £300m Found In UK

A record quantity of cocaine with a street value of £300m has been seized by the UK Border Agency.

The haul of 1.2 tons was discovered on a luxury yacht after a search which lasted six days.

The Dutch registered yacht, Louise, first aroused the suspicions of French authorities while she was docked in the Caribbean.

Its owners then loaded the vessel onto a ship transporter bound for Holland

It made a scheduled stop in Southampton at the end of May where it was intercepted.

Officials from the UK Border Agency and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) searched the vessel.

The drugs were eventually found hidden deep beneath the bathing platform of the boat.

Officials believe the drugs had been packed inside a specially designed space while the boat was in Venezuela.

The cocaine originated in South America and is 90% pure. The average purity of cocaine seized in the UK is 63%.

The wholesale price of the drugs is estimated at £50m but their street value is a staggering £300m.

David Armond, deputy director of SOCA International, said the find was "hugely significant."

The Dutch National Crime Squad arrested six men yesterday in connection with the seizure.

They recovered 100,000 euros, two Harley Davidson motorbikes, two firearms, a silencer and a quantity of ecstasy.

The men include two 44-year-olds, and four others aged from 27 to 60.

All are believed to be Dutch and some are thought to be members of the same family.

Immigration Minister Damian Green said: "This was a significant drugs seizure which was made possible by the co-operation of our international partners.

"UK Border Agency staff have shown vigilance, dedication and determination to uncover this shipment.

"Our efforts have helped bring an international crime gang to book and the message is clear; we will investigate and prosecute anyone who tries to smuggle banned substances through UK borders."