In a significant drug seizure, police divers have found millions of pounds worth of cocaine hidden below the waterline of a container ship in Sheerness, Kent. The drugs, weighing 137kg
(302lbs), were concealed on a Panamanian-registered vessel transporting bananas.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates that this haul had a street value of over £10 million. The cocaine was discovered in four large holdalls located in the sea chest, an area used for seawater intake to assist with stability.
Although the ship was destined for the Netherlands, NCA's information led specialist teams to search the vessel when it docked at Sheerness Port on October 14. To recover the drugs, the Metropolitan Police Dive Unit spent five hours conducting an underwater search of the ship's hull under challenging conditions with reduced visibility.
This concealment is one of only two instances of underwater class A drug concealments ever discovered in the UK. The previous case occurred in Bristol in November 2021 when 46kg (101.4lbs) of cocaine were found.
David Phillips, the operations manager at the NCA, described it as an "extremely rare and sophisticated concealment." The NCA is collaborating with law enforcement partners in the Netherlands and Panama, as they believe the drugs were likely destined for the Netherlands.
Stephen Whitton, deputy director of Border Force Maritime Command, emphasized the joint efforts of various law enforcement agencies, including the NCA, the Met Police, and Border Force, in preventing £10 million worth of cocaine from reaching the streets and neighboring countries.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police highlighted the complexity and risks involved in the underwater search operation. Detailed planning was essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the dive, taking into account factors like reduced visibility, tidal movements, and water depth. This operation showcased the challenging working environment in which the teams operated. Photo by An employee of the DEA, Wikimedia commons.