Call for united front to fight drug cartels

ONE of Europe’s top drug enforcement chiefs yesterday warned governments to keep up a united front in the fight against South American cocaine cartels.

Tim Manhire, boss of the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics (Maoc-N), spoke after three British men were jailed after being caught with 1.5 tonnes of cocaine on board a stricken yacht 240 kilometres off the south-west coast.

Mr Manhire said narcotics producers have turned to the north Atlantic as a smuggling route.