Border Force officers working at Portsmouth have intercepted a large consignment of Class A drugs hidden among a shipment of fruit, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has confirmed. A total of 240kg of cocaine was discovered aboard the refrigerated cargo vessel MV Atlantic Klipper after it arrived from South America via the Caribbean.
Operation and response
The seizure was carried out when the ship docked in Portsmouth docks and the drugs were transferred to a secure location under the supervision of the authorities. The NCA said the shipment has an estimated street value of £19.2 million.
The NCA was supported at the scene by the Joint Operations Unit (JOU) — a collaborative specialist team formed by Hampshire Police and Thames Valley Police. The JOU is the largest non-metropolitan joint specialist unit in the country and provides a range of investigative and forensic capabilities.
"This is a significant seizure of cocaine and will deprive the organised crime group behind it of profit that cannot now fund further offending,"
said NCA senior investigating officer Matteo Sole. He added that the NCA works closely with partners such as Border Force and with international partners to tackle the importation of Class A drugs.
Local impact and next steps
While no arrests or further operational details have been publicly released, the discovery underlines Portsmouth’s continuing role as a key port of entry and the importance of multi-agency co-operation in combating organised criminal networks. The JOU will assist the NCA with inquiries as the investigation progresses.
- Seized substance: Cocaine
- Quantity: 240kg
- Estimated street value: £19.2m
- Vessel: MV Atlantic Klipper
- Origin route: South America via the Caribbean
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Seized | 240kg cocaine |
| Value | £19.2 million (estimated) |
| Location | Portsmouth docks |
| Agencies | NCA, Border Force, JOU (Hampshire & Thames Valley Police) |
Residents and businesses in Portsmouth are advised that operations of this type can result in increased police activity around the port and secure facilities. Anyone with information relevant to the shipment or suspicious activity near the docks is asked to contact the NCA or local policing teams.
The NCA statement said the investigation remains live and further details will be released when appropriate. The seizure will form part of broader efforts to disrupt the pipelines used by organised crime groups to import controlled drugs into the UK.
