A customs officer confirmed the seizure was a record haul

A record-breaking cocaine haul - amounting to 3.6 tonnes and valued at more than �250m - has been seized in a mid-Atlantic high speed swoop.

Customs officers from Britain and Spain were involved in the seizure of the drugs, valued at more than �250m.

Eight men were arrested after officers boarded a former World War II motor torpedo boat at high speed. It was allegedly being used to transport the drugs.

The British-led operation involved two Devonport-based vessels -Royal Navy warship HMS Cumberland and Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Knight - and aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm.

'International effort'

The eight people arrested are being questioned in custody in Spain.

The captain is from the Dominican Republic and the other seven from Greece.

Officials say the drugs - originally from Colombia - were being taken to Britain on board the motor boat, which was originally a military craft built by the Germans during World War II.

Customs Minister and Economic Secretary to the Treasury John Healey, said: "This operation has stopped Class A drugs reaching the streets of the UK and harming our communities."

New flexible enforcement methods and an international effort meant customs were "more than a match" for today's sophisticated drug smugglers, he said.

Chief Investigation Officer for HM Customs and Excise, Paul Evans, said: "This is an excellent example of our close and continuing co-operation with the Spanish authorities to tackle Class A drugs."