Heathrow baggage handlers arrested in drugs raids
Three Heathrow baggage handlers have been arrested on suspicion of smuggling millions of pounds worth of cocaine through the airport.
They were among 11 people seized on Wednesday morning in co-ordinated raids across London and the south-east by 125 officers from the National Crime Agency and police.
Others detained include some with alleged links to drugs barons in South America, from where cocaine and cannabis were flown to London, and alleged British ‘wholesalers’ responsible for selling the drugs to street dealers, said the Evening Standard.
Four were arrested in Stoke Newington, while others were taken from houses in Tooting, Thornton Heath, Hayes, Chigwell and Banstead and one inmate at Wandsworth prison was also seized.
Over the past 15 months, police have seized about 100kgs of cocaine with a street value of £10 million, and about 50 kgs of cannabis at Heathrow.
They claim most of the drugs were flown from Brazil to Heathrow where they were allegedly smuggled through Customs by baggage handlers.
The suspects are being questioned today at police stations around London.
The National Crime Agency’s senior investigating officer David Reynders told the Standard: "The NCA is grateful for the support and co-operation it has received from the airport authorities and Border Force, all of whom have a vested interest in protecting the security of our borders."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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