The NCA seized 2.9 tonnes of cocaine worth £232 million at London Gateway Port after it was hidden in a shipment of bananas.
The National Crime Agency has seized 2.9 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated street value of £232 million during an investigation into an organised crime group.
The haul was seized on Thursday at London Gateway Port in Essex, after Border Force officers acted on intelligence provided by the NCA.
The cocaine was concealed in a coverload of bananas from South America, according to the agency.
After the drugs were recovered, the container was allowed to be collected and was later delivered to a location near Buntingford, Hertfordshire, as part of the investigation.
Nine men were arrested in connection with the operation and were later released on bail.
Dave Phillips, an NCA senior investigating officer, described the seizure as significant and said it had deprived the organised crime group behind the shipment of substantial profits.
The NCA said preventing the proceeds from reaching the criminal group also prevented the money from being reinvested into further criminal activity.
The agency is continuing to work with partners including Border Force, as well as law enforcement agencies in drug-producing and transit countries, to target the supply of Class A drugs into the UK.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the nine men arrested have been released on bail while enquiries continue.
Sources: National Crime Agency (NCA)
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