A massive cocaine seizure has been made at London Gateway port. It comes after a container ship inbound from Panama was searched. UK Border Force seized 2.4 tonnes of cocaine with a street value of GB£96 million in a major operation at the DP World facility.
The haul was discovered in a single container hidden deep within a stack of 37 others on board a vessel arriving from Panama. The seizure was part of a joint effort with port authorities. It has been described as the sixth-largest cocaine seizure in UK history. The interception was the result of an intelligence-led operation focused on maritime trafficking routes. The targeted vessel, which remains unnamed, was stopped earlier this month at London Gateway. On Saturday (28 June), the UK Home Office confirmed the drugs had been seized.
Container handling operation leads to record-breaking cocaine bust
Working closely with London Gateway’s terminal operator, Border Force maritime teams oversaw the removal of 37 shipping containers to access the smuggled narcotics. The carefully planned national border security operation at the UK’s newest deep-sea port demonstrated the lengths required to defeat covert use of containerised freight logistics.
Charlie Eastaugh, director of Border Force Maritime, said: “This seizure – one of the largest of its kind – is just one example of how dedicated Border Force maritime officers remain one step ahead of the criminal gangs who threaten our security.”
Panama to UK drug shipping route uncovered
Panama continues to be a significant origin point for drug trafficking via global container shipping routes. The UK Home Office has identified container vessels as a primary method used by organised crime groups to smuggle cocaine into the United Kingdom.
“The interception strikes a significant financial and operational blow against the organised crime groups behind its importation,” stated Border Force. “[It] is an example of an intelligence-driven outcome to disrupt criminal supply chains.”
UK Border Force and ports target maritime smuggling operations
The success of this operation is attributed to strong collaboration between UK Border Force, international law enforcement partners, and the logistics teams at London Gateway. The operation reflects wider efforts to strengthen the UK’s port security and surveillance of container traffic entering from high-risk regions.
“More than ever before, we are using intelligence and international law enforcement co-operation to disrupt and dismantle [criminal] operations,” added Charlie Eastaugh. He also pointed to training programmes underway in Latin America aimed at curbing drugs entering the maritime supply chain.
Cocaine smuggling via shipping containers is a growing risk
According to the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the UK is one of the largest cocaine markets in Europe. Traffickers increasingly exploit the container shipping industry due to its vast scale and operational complexity.
In 2024 alone, this marks the second major seizure involving a Latin America–Europe route, following a 5.7-tonne bust at the Port of Southampton earlier in the year. Enhanced cargo scanning, container tracking, and intelligence sharing are now central to the UK’s efforts to secure its ports from illegal trade.