Border Force and the U.K. National Crime Agency seized 943kg of cocaine hidden in a banana shipment at Southampton Docks, valued at about £75 million (just under $100 million). The container had travelled from Nicaragua via Panama and arrived on March 18; the seizure was announced on March 28. Three men have been charged with importing Class A drugs; two appeared in court on March 19 and a third on March 28. All three are remanded and are due at Southampton Crown Court on April 17.
943kg Of Cocaine Hidden In Bananas Seized At Southampton Docks — Three Men Charged
The cocaine that was seized at Southampton Docks in EnglandCredit: National Crime Agency (2)
British authorities have uncovered a major drug shipment at Southampton Docks: 943kg of cocaine concealed inside a container of bananas, a haul the U.K.'s National Crime Agency (NCA) values at about £75 million (just under $100 million).
Shipment of cocaine hidden in bananasCredit: National Crime Agency
Details Of The Seizure
The container arrived at Southampton on March 18 after a voyage from Nicaragua via Panama. Border Force officers, working in partnership with the NCA, opened the container and discovered the concealed drugs. The agencies announced the seizure in a statement on March 28.
Stock image of bananasCredit: Getty
'This is a massive amount of cocaine which was destined for the streets of the UK,' said NCA Branch Commander Saju Sasikumar. 'The supply of Class A drugs badly damages society by bringing violence and addiction to our communities.'
Legal Action
As part of the investigation, three men have been charged with importing Class A drugs. Two men — Daniel Dumitru, 37, of the West Midlands, and Andrew Smyth, 46, of Merseyside — were charged and appeared at Southampton Magistrates' Court on March 19. A third man, Joshua Berry, 28, of Hampshire, was later charged with importing a Class A drug and with producing Class B drugs; he appeared in court on March 28.
Cocaine seized in the U.K.Credit: National Crime Agency
All three defendants have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Southampton Crown Court on April 17.
Why This Matters
The seizure both prevents a large quantity of narcotics reaching UK streets and deprives the organised crime group behind the importation of substantial profits that could be reinvested in further offending. The joint operation highlights ongoing co-operation between Border Force and the NCA to disrupt international drug trafficking into the UK.
Help us improve.
