By James Simons-
Four men have been charged after a staggering amount of cocaine, with an estimated street value of £40 million, was discovered in a van parked at a village pub car park.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed that approximately 500kg of the illicit substance was found concealed in the back of the vehicle in Lelley, East Yorkshire.
The suspects, hailing from Argyll and Bute, have been identified as Anthony McAllister, 32, of Aldersyde, Taynuilt, Daniel Livingstone, 24, of Calton Avenue, Campbeltown, and Mark Moran, 22, of Glenfyne Terrace, Ardrishaig.
Joining them in facing charges is Didier Javier Tordecilla Reyes, a 39-year-old Colombian national with no fixed abode.
They are slated to appear at Hull Magistrates’ Court in the near future.
The seizure represents a significant blow to drug trafficking operations, underlining the pervasive nature of illegal drug activity across the UK.
The sheer volume of cocaine intercepted reveals the scale of the illicit drug trade and the substantial profits that criminal organizations stand to gain.
This latest development comes amidst growing concerns over the proliferation of drug-related crimes and the need for intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking networks.
Authorities have been ramping up enforcement measures to stem the flow of narcotics into communities and dismantle criminal enterprises involved in drug smuggling.
The successful interception of such a substantial quantity of cocaine highlights the vigilance and dedication of law enforcement agencies in targeting drug trafficking operations.