In a container headed for Germany, a record shipment of cocaine was concealed among bananas in the port of Southampton,

The NCA said it would work with European partners to identify criminal networks involved in the illegal operation.

“This record-breaking seizure will represent a huge hit to the international organized crime cartels involved, denying them massive profits,” said NCA Director Chris Farrimond.

“While the destination for the consignment was continental Europe in this case, I have no doubt that a significant proportion would have ended up back here in the UK, being peddled by UK criminal gangs,” he added.

The NCA estimates that the illicit cocaine market in the UK generates around £4 billion a year for criminal gangs.