NATIONAL Crime Agency officers believe they have cracked an operation that was attempting to smuggle of cocaine with a potential street value of around £8 million through a Thurrock port.

Two men, one of whom is a port worker, have been arrested by agency officers. The men, aged 54 and 38, were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to import class A drugs at around 6pm yesterday (Thursday, 19 January) in Southend.

The arrests were part of an operation supported by Border Force, the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit, Essex Police and Kent Police.

It follows the seizure of around 100 kilos of cocaine found in two containers which had been shipped from Costa Rica to the London Gateway container port near Corringham.

The pair remain in custody and are now being questioned by NCA investigators.

Some of the recovered drugs

NCA Regional Head of Investigations Jacque Beer said: "We know organised crime groups often rely on the knowledge and access of trusted insiders at ports and airports to bring in their illicit commodities. It is a threat we are alive to and treat as a priority.

"Working with our law enforcement partners and the port operators we are determined to do all we can to disrupt criminal activity, and protect the UK's border security.

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 "Yesterday's operation demonstrates that in action, and I want to thank those partners who worked with us. Our investigation continues."