£6M DRUG SEIZURE AT PORT

Man appears in court after 83kg of cocaine found in refrigerated lorry:

A huge haul of cocaine with a street value of around £6 million was discovered after a lorry was stopped at a port.

Around 83kg of the Class A drug was discovered concealed within a lorry load of refrigerated goods after a search was carried out at Holyhead Port in Anglesey on Friday.

It followed an operation involving the National Crime Agency, the Police Service of

Northern Ireland and Border Force.

A man has now appeared in court charged in connection with the discovery.

Following the discovery, National Crime Agency branch commander David Cunningham said:”A huge amount of Class A drugs have been taken out of circulation and seizure of this size will have significantly disrupted and damaged the criminal enterprise.

“I’d like to thank colleagues from the PSNI and Border Force, as by working together we have been able to ensure that these drugs didn’t reach the streets.

“Our investigation continues.” Chris Philip, minister for immigration compliance and courts, said: “Class A drugs destroy communities and fuel organised crime, so I am thrilled that Border Force officers have prevented a substantial quantity of cocaine from reaching our streets.

“Working with law enforcement agencies like the NCA and PSNI, we are determined to do all we can to tackle smuggling and bring those responsible to justice.”

Head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Criminal Investigations Branch, detective chief superintendent John McVea, added:”The Police Service of Northern Ireland is pleased to have worked with our law enforcement partners in the National Crime Agency and Border Force in removing around £6million worth of Class A cocaine.

“I believe this enormous hoard was destined for Northern Ireland where it would have caused significant harm to people living in our communities.

“The seizure is one of the largest in recent times and demonstrates that we will continue in our relentless pursuit of removing these dangerous drugs from society.”

James Joseph Gray, 51, of County Londonderry in Northern Ireland, has been charged with exporting Class A drugs.

He appeared at Llandudno Magistrates’ court on Monday 12 October and was further remanded to appear at Caernarfon Crown Court on November 9.