Four arrested after £140m worth of cocaine seized

It's after raids in Chorley, Wigan and Derby today

Author: Adam FawcettPublished 29th Nov 2022
Last updated 29th Nov 2022

Four people have been arrested after cocaine worth £140 was seized in a number of coordinated raids. Two of the suspects aged 67 and 48, are from Chorley; one 39-year-old is from Bolton; and the fourth is a 40-year-old from Derby.

They were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to import cocaine this morning. Officers from the National Crime Agency carried out searches in properties in Wigan, Chorley and Derby.

In August this year Border Force officers discovered a container at the Port of Felixstowe, Suffolk, containing the huge haul of Class A drugs in 20 kilo sacks.

Richie Davies NCA Branch Commander says, “This is a massive haul of cocaine with an estimated street value of £140m the NCA has been working intensely to identify and pursue those responsible.

“There’s no doubt these drugs would have been sold on into communities across the UK in such ways as County Lines fuelling further crime and misery.

“Organised crime groups are motivated by money and the deprivation of these drugs knocks a hole in the OCG’s plans and ability to operate."