More than a tonne of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than £80 million has been seized from a boat off the coast of Falmouth, in what has been described as “one of the most significant drugs seizures ever made in the UK.”

Officers from the National Crime Agency and Border Force Maritime Command boarded a British-registered converted fishing trawler on Thursday in a major joint operation.

They found approximately 50 bags suspected to contain cocaine onboard the vessel Bianca.

The trawler was then escorted to Falmouth where a full search was carried out, supported by Border Force officers from the new Cornwall Hub.

The vessel was found to have more than a tonne of cocaine on board.

Mike Stepney, Border Force’s director of national operations, said: “This is one of the most significant drugs seizures ever made in the UK and a testament to the multi-agency approach we adopt to secure the UK’s border and territorial waters.

“By working closely with the NCA and our other national and international partners we were able to intercept this vessel before it could deliver its £80 million of cargo to the UK.

“This seizure is a fantastic example of the vital role our officers play in preventing drugs from reaching the UK and keeping our communities safe.”

Mark Harding, of the NCA’s Border Policing Command said: “A seizure on this scale is likely have a significant disruptive impact right along the supply chain, leaving criminals with large debts to be covered.

“And it will have knock on effects, disrupting further criminality that would have been funded by the profits of this venture."

The operation was assisted by the National Maritime Information Centre and Devon & Cornwall Police. The NCA investigation continues.

  • Irish captain Michael McDermott, aged 67, and crew - Dutch national Gerald Van De Kooij aged 26, and British national David Pleasants, aged 57 - were charged with importing cocaine and appeared at Bodmin Magistrates Court today. All three have been remanded in custody until their next hearing at Bristol Crown Court on September 20.