U.K.: Cocaine worth $259m found in banana boxes sent from Colombia
![U.K.: Cocaine worth $259m found in banana boxes sent from Colombia U.K.: Cocaine worth $259m found in banana boxes sent from Colombia](https://cdn.freshfruitportal.com/2021/02/117088896_a28f6e0d2caa48159eb182b66a22019c.jpg)
Ten people have been arrested in North London in relation to the seizure of approximately 2.3 metric tons (5,070 pounds) of cocaine imported to the U.K. in a consignment of bananas from Colombia.
The seizure – believed to be one of the largest ever in the UK – was part of an investigation led by the joint National Crime Agency and Metropolitan Police Service’s Organised Crime Partnership (OCP).
Those arrested, all men aged 21-56, were detained by OCP officers on Feb. 18 at two addresses in North London after taking delivery of 41 pallets into which the cocaine had been loaded.
The drugs – potentially worth £184 million ($259 million) had it been sold on UK streets – had already been removed by Border Force officers at Portsmouth International Port on Feb. 14.
The container had arrived on a cargo ship from Colombia the day before, and was masquerading as a legitimate consignment of bananas.