Huge cocaine haul worth £78m hidden in holdalls is seized by police during routine call out to depot

Police seized cocaine worth an estimated £78million hidden in holdalls during a call out to theft from a lorry.

Officers believe the 780kg of narcotics discovered at a depot in Northampton was destined to wind up in the hands of dealers across the region.

It is the biggest Class A drugs find ever in Northampton.

Four people — three men and a woman — arrested in connection with the investigation have been released on bail, pending further enquiries.

Detective Superintendent Emma James, said: “This is the biggest seizure of Class A drugs by Northamptonshire Police.

"This was a large-scale transportation of Class A drugs and our investigation will be looking at who was responsible for bringing it into Northamptonshire and what their plans were for distributing it.”

The huge haul was found after officers answered what appeared to be routine call about someone breaking into a truck delivering to a depot on the Brackhills industrial estate on Friday (26 November).

But officers who arrived discovered a number holdalls stuffed with blocks of cocaine.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras were used to later trace a dumped van which contained more bags full of drugs.

Investigation launched to find out where drugs came from

In total, 18 holdalls were recovered with an estimated street value totalling a whopping £78million.

An investigation has been launched to establish where the cocaine came from and who was transporting it.

Detective Superintendent Emma James, added: “In total we’ve recovered 780kg of cocaine which, following forensic analysis, has been moved out of the county.

“Tackling serious organised crime is a matter of priority for us in Northamptonshire.

“People may think that buying cocaine for a night out isn’t an issue, but the organised crime gangs involved in distributing Class A drugs are often also responsible for other forms of criminality, such as modern slavery and the coercion of vulnerable people to house and deal drugs, violence and firearms offences.

“We’re urging anyone who has any information about the people involved in organised crime or drug dealing to contact us online, by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

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