£10 Million Cocaine Haul Hidden in Banana Boxes Busted at Portsmouth Port
Met Police and UK Border Force have smashed a slick drug-smuggling gang hiding £10 million worth of cocaine inside banana box linings. The daring bust stopped tonnes of the Class A drug from hitting London’s streets.
Double Takedown at Portsmouth Inbound From Dominican Republic
The operation cracked two separate shipments arriving at Portsmouth International Port on January 20 and 26. Border Force officers meticulously searched crates of bananas from the Dominican Republic and uncovered the cleverly concealed drugs tucked into the cardboard packaging.
Acton Arrests as Met Launches Relentless Hunt
Specialist Met crime teams worked round the clock following the seizures. Their intense investigations led to a raid in Acton where three men, aged 31, 34, and 37, were arrested on suspicion of cocaine importation. They remain in police custody as inquiries continue.
Top Cop Vows to Keep London Streets Clean
Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Sanderson said: “Drugs wreck communities, fuelling violence, addiction, and anti-social behaviour. The Met will keep targeting those illegally importing drugs to London. Working closely with Border Force has been crucial in swiftly catching these criminals.”
Sanderson added the seized cocaine was destined for distribution across London and beyond. He praised joint efforts with other law enforcement agencies as key to smashing big drug networks and protecting vulnerable people.
The Metropolitan Police continue their mission to improve community safety under “A New Met for London,” focusing on tackling crime that hits locals hardest.
