By Emeka Blast 
Customs Seize £100M in Cocaine at UK Port
Border Force officers have intercepted a staggering 2.4 tonnes of cocaine, valued at nearly £100 million, in one of the largest drug seizures in UK history. The haul, discovered hidden beneath containers on a ship arriving from Panama at London Gateway port, marks the sixth-largest cocaine bust on record, according to the Home Office.
The operation, conducted earlier this month, was intelligence-led, with specialist officers collaborating with port operators to move 37 large containers and uncover the illicit cargo. The cocaine, estimated at a street value of £96 million, was concealed in a sophisticated smuggling attempt, highlighting the persistent challenge of drug trafficking via container ships, a primary method used by organized crime syndicates.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship Seema Malhotra praised the operation, stating, “Drugs gangs trying to import illegal substances into the UK are a blight on society. We will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of organized crime gangs inflicting addiction, misery, and death upon Britain’s communities. Well done to Border Force Maritime officers on a hugely successful operation.”
The seizure comes amid a 31% rise in cocaine-related deaths in England and Wales between 2022 and 2023, underscoring the urgency of disrupting the drug trade. Border Force Maritime Director Charlie Eastaugh emphasized the agency’s proactive approach: “This seizure is just one example of how dedicated officers remain one step ahead of criminal gangs. Our message is clear: we are using intelligence and international cooperation to dismantle your operations.”
In a related development, the National Crime Agency reported a separate seizure at Dover Port, where 20 firearms, 320 rounds of ammunition, 170kg of ketamine, and 4,000 MDMA pills were found in a lorry. The driver, a 34-year-old Tajikistan national, was arrested on suspicion of smuggling, with the drugs valued at approximately £4.54 million.
The London Gateway seizure follows other significant busts, including a 5.7-tonne cocaine haul in Southampton in February 2024, hidden in banana shipments, and a £100 million cocaine seizure off Cornwall’s coast in September 2024, where four men were arrested. These operations reflect heightened efforts by UK authorities to combat drug smuggling, which continues to fuel violence and addiction nationwide.
Investigations are ongoing to trace the origins and intended recipients of the cocaine, with Border Force and international partners working to dismantle the networks behind the smuggling attempt. The Home Office has reiterated its commitment to strengthening border security and disrupting the flow of illegal drugs into the UK.
