Cocaine in holdalls washes up on Dorset coast

A loss of this size would mean "a significant hit to the criminal networks involved", investigators say

Packages and holdalls believed to contain cocaine are washing up on England's south coast.

A fisherman made the first discovery on 2 October, while groups of litter-pickers have found others since.

Holdalls containing hundreds of kilos of powder were first discovered in the sea off the St Aldhelm's point and Durdle Door areas in Purbeck.

A further quantity washed up on a beach on the Isle of Wight on Saturday.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) is leading the investigation and said it believed the drugs originated in South America.

Suspect circumstances

Tracey Lake, senior investigating officer with the NCA, said: "A loss of a consignment of this size would represent a significant hit to the criminal networks involved."

All of the packages recovered so far are being tested to establish their contents, quantity and estimated value.

The NCA has urged anybody who finds a holdall or similar package in suspect circumstances to contact the police.

Border Force and Hampshire Police are supporting the investigation.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Murray said a litter-picking group had discovered more packages on Saturday.

He said: "This work is ongoing, and you will continue to see police throughout the evening and into tomorrow, and we would ask anyone who finds any suspicious bags or packages on the coastline of Hampshire and the island to get in touch with us immediately.

"There is a member of the litter-picking group, a man in his 60s, who we want to make contact with, as we continue to speak with everyone in the vicinity, and we would ask him to get in touch with us.

"He is of slim build, around 5ft 6in tall and had short grey hair, with a birthmark on the right side of his mouth."

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