Andrew Carey
COCAINE with a likely UK street value in excess of £40million has been seized following an operation involving the National Crime Agency (NCA), Border Force and An Garda Siochana.
The drugs, which Gardai believe are linked to a major Irish crime gang, were seized following the search of the cargo vessel Star Stratos at Portsmouth port this Monday evening December 1.
Approximately 300 kilos were discovered concealed within a shipment of bananas which had originated in Colombia.
Gardai believe that part of the consignment of drugs was destined for this jurisdiction and the seizure is a major disruption to elements of an Irish organised crime gang.
The operation involved cooperation between An Garda Siochana and the NCA and will help to protect Irish Communities from the scurge of illegal drugs.
Investigations are continuing both in the UK and Ireland.
This is the second joint operation between An Garda Siochana and the NCA which has resulted in a huge cocaine seizure in less than three months.
In September around a tonne of cocaine was seized by the Irish Naval Service from the yacht Makayabella around 300 miles off the south west coast of Ireland.
