finance
UK Border Force Seizes Nearly Five Tonnes of Cocaine at London Gateway Port
Border Force officers seized close to five tonnes of cocaine at London Gateway port over a four-week period in February and March 2026. The drugs, valued at an estimated £416 million, were hidden in shipments of bananas and wine. The seizures represent one of the largest drug interceptions at a British border point.
Apr 13, 10:01 AM·2m read1 source
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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.
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.
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.
