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Arrests after drugs seized from inflatable speedboat

Tess de la MareBBC News, West of England
News imageNational Crime Agency The seats of a blue speed boat. A rectangular package of white powder is visible. Other packages wrapped in black plastic sit next to it. Red fuel cans can be seen at the edge of the picture. National Crime Agency
The seized packages are believed to contain cocaine

Four men have been arrested after several hundred kilos of drugs were seized from a boat.

Two UK nationals, an Albanian and a Greek national were arrested in the early hours of Thursday morning in Watchet, west Somerset, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

They are believed to have used a high-powered rigid inflatable speedboat to collect drugs from a cargo vessel off the coast, the NCA said, and the seized packages are believed to contain cocaine.

The four men are in custody and NCA officers are now investigating any potential links with cargo vessels in the area at the time of the incident.

News imageGetty Images An aerial view of Watchet Harbour in west Somerset. The walls of the harbour are visible, and the town spreads out behind it. Boats can by seen in the harbour. Getty Images
The men were arrested in Watchet on the coast of Somerset

Gavin Webb, NCA regional head of investigations said: "This is a fast-moving, intelligence led investigation by the NCA, with the support of partners including Border Force, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, Avon and Somerset Police and Devon and Cornwall Police.

"The NCA is confronting and dealing with at-sea drugs drop-offs as a priority, focusing on protecting the public, and ensuring illegal drugs do not make it to UK shores.

"Our investigation is ongoing and those arrested remain in custody."

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