£35 Million Cocaine Haul Seized from Small Boat Off Sussex Coast
In a dramatic nighttime swoop, Met police officers, backed by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Border Force, intercepted a small boat carrying a staggering 350kg of cocaine. The seizure, made in Eastbourne harbour, Sussex, has rocked the streets with an estimated black market value of £35 million.
Kingfisher Sports Explorer Caught Red-Handed
The vessel, a Kingfisher Sports Explorer, was stopped just after 10.15pm on Saturday, 18 February, following intelligence about suspicious movements in the Channel. Scotland Yard detectives, along with Border Force agents, quickly moved in to seize the drugs and arrest three men on board.
Three Men Arrested, Drugs Destined for London’s Violent ‘City Lines’ Gangs
All three suspects, including a port worker, have been charged and remanded on suspicion of conspiring to import Class A drugs. Detective Inspector Lydia Stephens of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command warned:
“We are committed to addressing the impact of Class A drugs on our communities. This massive shipment was headed for London’s streets via ‘city lines’ gangs, 80% of whom have violent histories linked to murder. Tackling these gangs helps protect exploited children and cut serious violence in the capital.”
Unified Force Strikes Major Blow to Organised Crime
Martin French, senior intelligence manager at the NCA, praised the multi-agency effort:
“The NCA brought specialist skills to secure this seizure. Removing this cocaine from circulation stops it feeding the misery and chaos caused by the Class A drug trade.”
The NCA vows to keep fighting organised crime threats alongside partners like the Metropolitan Police and Border Force, ensuring the UK’s streets are safer.
