Cocaine worth nearly £1m seized in ‘Trump’ branded packages at Harwich port
A consignment of cocaine was found in in a lorry load of paper towels at Harwich Port. Picture: BORDER FORCE - Credit: Archant
More than 12 kilos of cocaine packaged with “Trump” branded American flags was seized an Essex port.
Border Force officers discovered the Class A drugs in a lorry load of paper towels at Harwich International Port after an X-ray scan revealed an anomaly. A search, carried out in January 31, revealed 11 packages in one of the boxes which tested positive for cocaine.
Each package was wrapped in cellophane and underneath was a printed image of the American flag stamped with the word ‘Trump’.
Border Force assistant director Mick Holmes said: “This was a substantial detection by my officers who are always on the alert to intercept illegal substances.
“The estimated street value of the cocaine was found to be in excess of £950,000.
“We work closely with other law enforcement agencies like the National Crime Agency (NCA) to keep drugs off the streets and bring offenders to justice.”
A 27-year-old Polish man was arrested and released under investigation by the NCA while enquiries continue.
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Border Force said its officers use hi-tech search equipment to combat immigration crime and detect banned and restricted goods that smugglers attempt to bring into the country.
Search techniques including sniffer dogs, carbon dioxide detectors, heartbeat monitors and scanners are deployed to find hidden stowaways, illegal drugs, firearms and tobacco.
Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call the hotline on 0800 59 5000.
