Cocaine worth £35m seized in harbour sting
SUPPLIEDAlmost half-a-tonne of cocaine worth almost £35m has been found by investigators.
Five men were arrested at about 13:00 BST on Monday and are in custody after a fishing boat called the New Horizon was boarded in Sovereign Harbour, in Eastbourne, East Sussex.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) said it recovered 425kg (937lb) of the Class A drug valued at £34m.
It is alleged four of the men picked up the drugs, after they were dropped in the English Channel by another vessel, before they returned to shore.
The fifth man was arrested when the others returned to harbour.
The five, aged 32 to 49, are from Scotland and Eastbourne and remain in custody for questioning.
The operation was supported by the NCA's Maritime, Aviation and Military Intervention Cell; the Joint Maritime Security Centre; Sussex Police and Police Scotland.
Searches have also been carried out in Scotland.
NCA investigator, Carl Barrass, said: "The recovery of this quantity of cocaine represents a significant loss to the organised crime group behind its importation and will impact its ability to continue operating."
Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.