COCAINE with a potential street value of £4.86 million has been seized at Harwich Port after it was discovered hidden in the trailer doors of a lorry.

Border Force stopped an Irish-registered lorry after it arrived in the UK having travelled from the Hook of Holland.

Officers noticed anomalies in the trailer doors and after conducting a search, they found approximately 54 kilos of cocaine, wrapped in 47 packages concealed in metal lined containers last Thursday, April 30.

The National Crime Agency subsequently launched an investigation.

Jacque Beer, branch commander at NCA, said: “This seizure shows that organised criminal networks involved in international drug trafficking continue to pose a threat to the UK, even with the restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Working with partners like Border Force we will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to disrupt and dismantle crime groups involved in drug distribution.”

Halstead Gazette: HIDDEN COCAINE: Officers noticed anomalies in the trailer doors and conducted a searchHIDDEN COCAINE: Officers noticed anomalies in the trailer doors and conducted a search

Chris Philp, minister for immigration compliance, said this was a fantastic bit of work from the team.

He added: “They have succeeded in taking a large amount of cocaine off our streets, where it can cause significant harm to both individuals and communities.

“Every year Border Force officers seize Class A drugs worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

“Working with law enforcement colleagues like the National Crime Agency we will do all we can to stop drug traffickers and bring them to justice.”

A British man was arrested, interviewed and released under investigation.

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or go to gov.uk/report-smuggling