A raid at a freight warehouse in Hounslow has led to the arrest of two men from west London.

A National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation was launched after three kilos of the class A drug were found in an air freight at Gatwick Airport.

Border Force officers discovered thin packages hidden in the struts of a container after arriving into the UK from Jamaica on Monday (February 20).

The container was due to be moved by road to a bonded freight agent in Hounslow.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of importing cocaine by NCA officers.

A 45-year-old man from Hayes and a 32-year-old from Southall were detained at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport in the early hours of Tuesday 21 February.

Both were questioned by NCA investigators while searches of their home addresses were carried out.

They have been released on bail pending further enquiries until May.

Darren Barr, from NCA Border Investigations, said: “These arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into the importation of controlled drugs into the UK.

"That will continue with the evidence we have found during this phase of the operation.

“The cocaine seized here would likely have had a wholesale value to organised crime of around £100,000, but if cut and sold on the streets a potential value of more than £360,000, so that is profit that has been taken away from criminality.

“Working with law enforcement partners like Border Force we are determined to stop those who would seek to circumvent border controls for criminal purposes.”

Sue Young, director of Border Force South, added: “In making this seizure, Border Force officers at Gatwick have taken dangerous Class A drugs out of circulation.

“Our officers are on the front-line of the fight to stop drugs, weapons, contraband and illegal immigrants entering the UK."

NCA has said it will not be issuing further details on the name and location of the warehouse.

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