Authorities have uncovered a sophisticated drug smuggling operation in which South American gangs drop cocaine into UK waters, allowing smaller boats to retrieve and transport the drugs ashore.
Border Force officials say traffickers are using flotation devices equipped with trackers to pinpoint the location of their multi-million-pound shipments. This method, known as an “at-sea drop-off” (ASDO), has become a major challenge for law enforcement.
Just last week, a court heard how four British men were arrested after retrieving a tonne of cocaine worth £100 million near the Isles of Scilly. They now face lengthy prison sentences.
To counter the smuggling operation, Border Force has deployed specialized cutter units and trained sniffer dogs. A recent bust involved a dog named Flash, who helped uncover £50 million worth of cocaine hidden among bananas on a South American cargo ship near Dover.
How the Operation Works
Drug cartels in South America transport the cocaine on large “mother ships” and use satellite phones to communicate with UK-based criminals. When they reach British waters, the drugs—packed in waterproof parcels and attached to life jackets—are tossed into the sea. Smaller “daughter boats” then locate and retrieve them.
According to Border Force maritime director Charlie Eastaugh, this tactic has led to multiple large-scale seizures in recent years. He assured that authorities are tracking, locating, and prosecuting those involved.
Recent Drug Busts and Rising Death Toll
The UK has seen a rise in cocaine-related incidents, including:
- Cocaine parcels washing up on the Isle of Wight in October 2023.
- Bags of drugs discovered at Durdle Door, Dorset, and Goring, West Sussex.
- An inflatable boat intercepted off Suffolk in June 2024, with traffickers diving into the sea in a failed escape attempt.
Despite these crackdowns, drug-related deaths in the UK are at a 30-year high. In 2023 alone, there were 1,118 fatalities linked to cocaine use—ten times higher than in 2011.
Derek Evans from the National Crime Agency (NCA) urged fishing communities to report suspicious activity: “If a criminal group approaches you, inform the police. Getting involved in drug smuggling is not worth the risk.”
Source: NewsandVibes.com
