£1billion of cocaine seized in 3 months

Minister hails discovery of bus-sized haul

- By Michael Knowles Home Affairs Editor

COCAINE with a street value of more than £1billion has been seized in the UK in just three months.

Border Force staff found 15.6 tons from June 1 to August 31 - equivalent to the weight of a double decker bus.

The Home Office said that improved intelligence sharing with the National Crime Agency was dealing big blows to organised gangs' operations. But the haul prompted fears that smugglers are exploiting soaring demand.

Last year a record 28 tons of cocaine was seized, up 52%, and officials think 2025's haul will be higher.

Neil Woods, from policy body the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, said: "These kinds of large seizures... are evidence of failure, not success.

"It's a clear indication of an increase in the volume of the market."