£200m cocaine haul seized at London Gateway Port

Border Force officers discovered 2.9 tonnes of cocaine at London Gateway Port in Essex on 6 August 2026. The drugs, concealed in banana boxes, were valued at more than £200 million. The National Crime Agency confirmed the seizure, which targeted a shipment originating from South America.

Dave Phillips, a senior investigating officer at the NCA, said the interception deprived organised crime groups of substantial profits. He added that the drugs, classified as Class A, pose severe risks to communities. Nine men were arrested in connection with the seizure and later released on bail.

Previous seizures and ongoing investigations

The seizure follows a pattern of large-scale cocaine interceptions in the UK. In February 2024, the NCA and Border Force uncovered almost six tonnes of cocaine hidden in banana shipments at Southampton Port. That remains the largest Class A drugs seizure in UK history.

The Home Office reported that Border Force officers seized 15.6 tonnes of cocaine between June and August 2025, with an estimated street value exceeding £1 billion. The NCA continues to collaborate with international partners to disrupt drug trafficking networks.

What happens next

The nine men arrested in connection with the seizure remain on bail while investigations continue. The NCA has not disclosed further details about potential charges or ongoing operations. Residents in Barnet and across London are unlikely to be directly affected by the investigation, though the seizure may disrupt local drug supply chains.