UK Border Force Seizes Nearly Five Tonnes of Cocaine at London Gateway Port

Border Force officers at London Gateway port seized nearly five tonnes of cocaine during a four-week period spanning February and March 2026. The total haul was valued at an estimated £416 million on the street. This operation included one of the largest cocaine seizures recorded at a UK border crossing.

The seizures involved shipments originating from South America. Officers used scanning technology and inspections to identify the concealed drugs. The interceptions prevented the drugs from entering distribution networks in Europe.

Major Seizure in Banana Shipment On February 27, 2026, officers discovered three tonnes of cocaine hidden in a shipping container disguised as banana boxes.

The container originated from Panama and was intended for the Netherlands. Upon inspection, officers found approximately 2,800 packages of cocaine inside, with an estimated street value of £256 million. This seizure ranks as the sixth-largest cocaine interception in UK history.

The method involved replicating the weight and dimensions of legitimate fruit shipments. Border Force personnel's vigilance and technology detected the discrepancy. A second significant discovery occurred on March 24, 2026.

Officers identified one tonne of cocaine concealed in containers of South American wine. The shipment contained 1,102 packages valued at approximately £80 million.

Broader Enforcement Context These interceptions are part of increased enforcement efforts at UK ports.

Border Force reported a 40 percent rise in drug seizures compared to the previous year. Over the 12 months ending March 2025, officers confiscated nearly 150 tonnes of illegal substances across all UK border points. The operations target Class A drugs entering Europe via British ports.

“Drug seizures are at an all-time high under this government, and we will not let up in our pursuit of those behind this evil trade.”

Charlie Eastaugh, director of maritime and small boats, said: "These results speak for themselves: we are coming after drug smugglers. " The seizures disrupt organized criminal networks by removing large quantities of drugs from circulation. Future operations will continue to focus on high-risk shipments at major ports.

Affected parties include law enforcement agencies, port operators, and international trade partners monitoring drug trafficking routes.