International drugs ring smashed in UK

British customs officials have helped to smash an international drug smuggling ring after seizing cocaine estimated to be worth £5m, it was revealed today.

Officers found 75 kilos of cocaine after their suspicions were aroused about a container at Felixstowe in Suffolk, which had come on a boat from the Caribbean.

The six-week operation began with the discovery of the drugs in a container full of clothing on November 7 but details have only just been released.

Under Operation Holla the customs team allowed the container, without the drugs, to be transferred to another boat as planned and tracked it as it sailed on to Lebanon.

The container was kept under surveillance by Lebanese law enforcers and a man was arrested when he came to clear the container.

A customs spokesperson said this successful conclusion enforces that international and diplomatic efforts are “of paramount importance in the fight against drugs”.