Cocaine worth £40 million found in van behind village pub | British news


A shipment of cocaine worth £40 million was found in a van in a pub car park (Picture: PA/National Crime Agency)

Cocaine with a street value of £40 million was found in the back of a van in the car park of a village pub.

About 500kg of the Class A drug was discovered in a Vauxhall Vivaro parked outside the Stags Head Inn in Lelley, East Yorkshire.

Four men have since been arrested in connection with the discovery, the National Crime Agency said.

Police believe that just hours before the catch was discovered, it was brought to shore in an inflatable boat after being transferred from a larger vessel off the coast of Hull.

The boat was abandoned at Easington Beach, the NCA added, which is about 18 miles from the Stags Head Inn.

A 22-year-old, a 32-year-old and a 24-year-old, all from Scotland, were arrested in Lelley at 8.30am on Saturday, as well as a 39-year-old from Colombia.

Senior investigating officer Alan French said: 'This was a significant quantity of cocaine and its seizure will be a significant blow to the organized crime group that attempted to smuggle the cocaine into Britain.


Stags Head Inn, Lelley
The van was parked in the car park of Stags Head Inn in Lelley (Photo: Google Maps)

Issue photo dated 24/05/24 issued by the National Crime Agency (NCA) of cocaine seized as four men have been arrested after €40m of cocaine was found in a van in the car park of a village pub. About 500kg of the drug was discovered in the back of a Vauxhall Vivaro in the car park in Lelley, East Yorkshire, the National Crime Agency said. Date of issue: Sunday May 5, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Lelley. Photo credits should read: National Crime Agency/PA Wire. EDITOR'S NOTE: This hand-out photo may be used for editorial reporting purposes only for the simultaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the image may require further permission from the copyright holder.
The cocaine seizure has been captured (Photo: National Crime Agency/PA Wire)

Cocaine worth 40 million euros found in van behind cafe
The drugs in the back of the van (Picture: National Crime Agency)

'There is no doubt that these drugs would have been sold into communities across Britain, fueling further crime and exploitation.

'Working with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to doing everything we can to disrupt criminal activity and protect Britain's border security.

“Our investigation continues following these arrests.”

The NCA operation was supported by Humberside Police, the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organized Crime Unit and the Border Force.

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