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Cocaine worth £4m discovered on vessel carrying fruit juice at Avonmouth docks

An international probe is now underway into the source and intended destination for the drugs

Alex Ross
By Alex Ross
Published 11th Nov 2021, 20:14 GMT
Updated 11th Nov 2021, 20:25 GMT
The cocaine was discovered on the boat which was coming from Brazil
The cocaine was discovered on the boat which was coming from Brazil
The cocaine was discovered on the boat which was coming from Brazil

Cocaine with an estimated value of more than £4 million has been seized from a boat trying to enter Avonmouth docks.

Around 46 kilos of the class A drug was recovered from what investigators believe was a specially adapted hide attached to the hull of the vessel.

If cut and sold in the UK, the haul would have had an estimated street value in excess of £4 million.

It was discovered at Avonmouth docks in Bristol on Tuesday (November 9), following a joint operation involving the National Crime Agency, Border Force and Avon & Somerset Police.

The boat, which was carrying a load of fruit juice, had previously sailed from Santos in Brazil, and was due to continue on to the Netherlands.

An international probe is now underway into the source and intended destination for the drugs.

Cocaine was recovered from what investigators believe was a specially adapted hide attached to the hull of the vessel.
Cocaine was recovered from what investigators believe was a specially adapted hide attached to the hull of the vessel.
Cocaine was recovered from what investigators believe was a specially adapted hide attached to the hull of the vessel.

NCA Branch Operations Manager Dean Wallbank said: “Disrupting the international networks involved in drug trafficking is a priority for the NCA, and I’m grateful for the assistance provided by partners in Border Force and Avon & Somerset Police on this operation, as well as those overseas.

“While we don’t believe the entire load was destined for the UK initially, it is likely that at least some of it would have ended up back here in the hands of UK criminal gangs, being sold on UK streets.

“Making this seizure has prevented them from profiting further and re-investing in further criminality.”

The cocaine has an estimated value of £4m
The cocaine has an estimated value of £4m
The cocaine has an estimated value of £4m

Inspector Will Barlow of Avon & Somerset Police added: “We are pleased that our experienced dive team were able to play a significant role in recovering a large quantity of class A drugs.

“The officers involved reported facing extremely challenging conditions during this operation, in particular very poor visibility.

“We are all acutely aware of the damage cocaine and other illegal substances can have on our communities and we are delighted to have been able to support the National Crime Agency and Border Force with their investigation and stop harmful drugs from making their way on to our streets.”

Bristol