Border Force officers and the National Crime Agency (NCA) have seized 240 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of £19.2 million at Portsmouth Docks.
The drugs were discovered hidden inside banana crates aboard the refrigerated cargo ship MV Atlantic Klipper on July 22, 2026.
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The vessel had arrived from South America via the Caribbean.
A Joint Operations Unit, including Hampshire Police and Thames Valley Police, assisted in moving the drugs to a secure location.
Significant Blow to Organized Crime
Matteo Sole, a senior investigating officer from the NCA, described the seizure as significant.
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“This is a significant seizure of cocaine and will deprive the organised crime group behind it of profit that cannot now fund further offending,” Sole said.
He emphasized that the agency works closely with partners like Border Force both domestically and internationally to combat the dangers posed by Class A drugs.
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The operation highlights ongoing efforts to disrupt drug trafficking routes into the UK.
