UK authorities have detained four men after discovering approximately 400 kilograms of cocaine aboard a fishing vessel off the coast of Kent. The operation, led by the National Crime Agency (NCA), unfolded on Sunday morning when the UK Border Force intercepted the boat during a routine patrol.
Three men aboard the vessel—aged 64, 45, and 25—were taken into custody on suspicion of drug smuggling and were later transferred to the NCA for questioning. A fourth individual, believed to be connected to the operation, was arrested in East London.
“This quantity of cocaine represents a significant setback for the organized crime network behind this smuggling attempt,” noted NCA Operations Manager Jules Harriman. “Thanks to our collaboration with Border Force and the Joint Maritime Security Centre, we’ve successfully prevented this harmful drug from reaching the streets.”
While most large cocaine interceptions in the UK occur at container ports, where shipments are often concealed in fruit or other goods, smaller vessels on cross-Channel routes are sometimes targeted. This operation recalls a similar bust in 2021 off Sussex, which also led to multiple convictions.
