Three people from South Wales have been arrested as part of an investigation into the importation of cannabis worth an estimated £139 million into the UK.
The arrests were made on Tuesday, 16 June, following a South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) investigation into a major international drug trafficking operation.
The investigation began after the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) intercepted a shipment of cannabis destined for the UK.
Working closely with Canadian authorities, investigators identified two shipping containers suspected of containing cannabis while they were in transit to Southampton Port.
Border Force officers intercepted the containers on 6 May and, following a search, discovered approximately 12 tonnes of cannabis concealed within 1,200 boxes. The drugs have an estimated street value of £139 million.
As part of the ongoing investigation, SWROCU officers executed warrants at addresses in Merthyr Tydfil, Ebbw Vale and Abertillery.
Two men and one woman, aged in their 30s and 40s, were arrested on suspicion of facilitating the importations. They remain in police custody.
The operation was supported by officers from South Wales Police and Gwent Police.
Acting Inspector Stuart Cumine, of SWROCU, said: “This was clearly a significant seizure, which has not only taken a huge amount of drugs out of circulation, but has deprived the criminal gangs organising the importations of enormous profits totalling millions of pounds.
“While cannabis can commonly be perceived as a low-level threat, people need to understand that the criminals importing and supplying it are using the substantial profits to fund other criminality.
“Operations like this, working with partners on a national and international level, disrupt these criminal networks, deprive them of funds, and protect communities across the UK from the harm that drug supply and other organised criminality causes.”
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, praised Border Force officers involved in the operation.
He said: “Congratulations to our brilliant Border Force officers for this record-breaking haul. We will not allow criminal gangs to profit from misery and peddle their vile trade.
“More than ever before, we are working with policing and international partners to secure our borders and keep our streets safe.”
Phil Douglas, Border Force Director General, added: “This biggest cannabis seizure ever shows Border Force’s relentless action to stop drugs reaching UK streets and destroying lives.
“My thanks to our officers, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit, and the Canada Border Services Agency for their dedication, collaboration, and professionalism.”
Canada Border Services Agency President Erin O’Gorman said the seizure demonstrated the effectiveness of international cooperation.
She said: “These seizures reflect the strength of the combined operational focus and intelligence-sharing efforts between Canadian federal law enforcement and our UK Border Force partners.
“It is the result of a highly coordinated, intelligence-led approach to disrupting transnational organized crime.
“The movement of illegal cannabis fuels organized crime networks, and this seizure underscores our collective commitment to combat these criminal activities and keep our borders strong and secure.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
