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London Gateway Port seizure: £232 million in cocaine found in bananas
Border Force officers intercepted a shipment of nearly 3 tonnes of cocaine at London Gateway Port in Essex. The drugs, valued at approximately £232 million, were found hidden inside boxes of bananas arriving from South America.
Nine men were arrested in connection with the operation and have since been released on bail as investigations continue. The National Crime Agency (NCA) stated that the seizure deprives organized crime groups of significant profits that would otherwise be used to fund further criminal activity.
This incident follows a pattern of large-scale drug seizures at UK ports. In February 2024, authorities seized nearly six tonnes of cocaine hidden in bananas at Southampton Port. Additionally, the Home Office reported that over £1 billion worth of drugs were intercepted during a record-breaking summer period.
Entities
Border Force · Dave Phillips · Essex · Home Office · London Gateway · London Gateway Port · National Crime Agency
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Border Force officers intercepted nearly 3 tonnes of cocaine at London Gateway Port in Essex. wtxnews.com · metro.co.uk
- [● 7 SOURCES] Nine men were arrested in connection with the seizure and have since been released on bail. wtxnews.com · www.haber.ba · www.dan.co.me · fakti.bg · zadarskilist.novilist.hr · +2 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The cocaine was hidden in banana shipments originating from South America. wtxnews.com · www.haber.ba · www.dan.co.me · fakti.bg · zadarskilist.novilist.hr · +2 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] In February 2024, nearly six tonnes of cocaine were found hidden in bananas at Southampton Port. wtxnews.com · zadarskilist.novilist.hr · www.index.hr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Home Office reported over £1 billion worth of drugs were intercepted during a record-breaking summer. wtxnews.com · zadarskilist.novilist.hr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The seized cocaine is valued at approximately £232 million. wtxnews.com · fakti.bg · zadarskilist.novilist.hr