More than £400 million worth of cocaine has been confiscated at the UK border within a month. Significant operations were conducted in February and March at London Gateway port, resulting in the sixth-largest recorded cocaine seizure.
A substantial three-tonne shipment, heavier than an adult rhino, was found camouflaged as banana boxes in a shipping container. Its estimated street value is £256 million. Elite Border Security Command Maritime officers intercepted the shipment from Panama en route to the Netherlands on February 27, 2026. The smugglers attempted to mimic the exact appearance and weight of banana boxes to hide the drugs among fruit. However, advanced scanners exposed the deception, revealing nearly 2,800 cocaine packages – marking it as one of the largest seizures on record.
On March 24, approximately £80 million worth of cocaine was seized from a shipping container transporting South American wine. When combined with other seizures in March, a total of around five tonnes were intercepted at London Gateway port in less than a month, with an estimated street value exceeding £400 million.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship Mike Tapp commended the efforts of the Border Force teams, stating that the confiscation of vast amounts of dangerous drugs has deprived criminal organizations of over £400 million in potential profits. He emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to combatting drug trafficking and ensuring border security to safeguard the public.
Director of Maritime and Small Boats Charlie Eastaugh expressed determination in pursuing drug smugglers, highlighting last month’s significant cocaine seizure as a significant blow to organized crime. Collaborating with domestic and international law enforcement and intelligence agencies, the UK aims to dismantle criminal networks and uphold public safety.