Yahoo News Cocaine worth £20m seized from yacht off Wales coast
A haul of 250 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of £20 million has been seized after police intercepted a yacht off the coast of Wales.
Intelligence from the National Crime Agency identified the Sy Atrevido ship as carrying the illegal drug to the UK from South America.
Police have arrested six people following the operation.
Officers from Border Force searched the ship for drugs and found packages containing white powder throughout the vessel.
Two men, aged 53 and 41, were arrested on the ship and are in custody for police questioning.
Four other men, whose ages range from 23 to 41, were arrested in Liverpool and Loughborough.
NCA Deputy Director of Investigations, Craig Naylor, said: “This is a substantial seizure of cocaine, which would have generated tens of millions of pounds in criminal profits.
“NCA officers on the front line play a vital role in tackling the serious and organised criminals that undermine the safety and security of our nation.
“These drugs were intended for sale on UK streets, where they will have fuelled considerable violence and exploitation. I’d like to thank all those involved in preventing them from reaching their destination.
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“The NCA works with partners in the UK and around the world to target the criminal groups posing the greatest threat to the public.”
Deputy Director Steve Whitton, from Border Force’s Maritime Command, said: "This is a major seizure and a testament to the multi-agency approach we take to secure the UK's border and territorial waters.
"Our collaboration with the NCA, combined with excellent work from the crew of HMC Protector and officers from our specialist deep rummage team ensured that the sailing Yacht ATREVIDO’s cargo did not reach its intended destination.
"Working together, we will continue to do all we can to put the organised crime groups involved in drug smuggling before the courts.”
