Four arrests after suspected cocaine found on boat

An investigator on board a boat deck, looking at about 20 brown packages measuring about 10in by 5in by 2in eachImage source, National Crime Agency
Image caption,

The haul has been described as a "huge loss" for the organised crime group which attempted to import it into the UK

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Four men have been arrested after about one tonne of what was suspected to be cocaine was seized from a fishing boat off Cornwall, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has said.

The boat had been off the coast of Newquay when it was stopped by Border Force officers on Friday.

The four men on board were arrested on suspicion of importing class A drugs and conveyed to police custody to be questioned by NCA investigators.

Derek Evans, NCA branch commander, said: "This is a significant amount of cocaine that will represent a huge loss for the organised crime group that attempted to import it into the UK."

The agency also released pictures of the vessel Lily Lola, which is registered in the Torbay area of Devon.

Mr Evans continued: "With our partners at Border Force and the Joint Maritime Security Centre, we have successfully removed this harmful drug consignment from the criminal marketplace.

"Its onward supply would have fuelled exploitation through county lines activity as well as serious violence and knife crime.

"Our investigation into this importation continues."