#$5.7M worth of cocaine found smuggled with yams at airport

A shipment of $5.7 million worth of cocaine was discovered by British authorities, who found the drug hidden inside caches of yams, sweet potatoes and other vegetables, according to the UK’s National Crime Agency.

So far, border agents at Gatwick Airport, near London, have seized a total of 55 kilograms (about 121 pounds) of the Schedule 2 substance, on flights via Kingston, Jamaica, throughout the month of August: 22 kilograms on August 11 worth $2.3 million; 30 kilograms on August 18 worth $3.1 million; and 3 kilograms on August 25 worth $328,000. Unlike the first two discoveries, the final stash was reportedly found “suspended in liquid.”

“Through the diligence and hard work of Border Force officers, we have prevented millions of pounds of cocaine from reaching Britain’s streets,” Tim Kingsberry, regional director for Border Force South, said in a statement. “I hope this detection sends a clear message to anyone who thinks they can smuggle dangerous drugs into the UK. We will find and confiscate these items and we will bring you to justice.”

Gatwick National Crime Agency branch commander Mark McCormack added, “Working with our colleagues at Border Force, we are determined to do all we can to stop class A drugs reaching the streets of the UK, where they can cause so much damage. These seizures are an example of that in action — and our investigations are ongoing.”