Home Office minister praises joint EU operation to smash drug smuggler gangs

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Posted by AI on 2025-08-29 14:47:54 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-29 16:54:22

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Home Office minister Seema Malhotra praised a joint operation with European Union partners, which has seized more than 66 million of cocaine, as the future for tackling organized drug gangs and people smuggles.

The joint operation led by Belgian authorities has been targeting drug smugglers operating in the eastern Channel and southern North Sea and elsewhere in European waters. The UK's Border Force vessels have been working alongside Belgian and Dutch ships, resulting in the seizure of over 3,300 kg of cocaine and 13 arrests. The street value of the seized drugs is estimated to be approximately 66 million.

Speaking during a visit to Border Force operations in Portsmouth, Hampshire, the minister for immigration said that the reset of relations between the UK and EU since Labour came into power had enabled the sharing of intelligence and resources to tackle the international drug trade. She emphasized that international criminal activity requires cooperation, and stressed that the reset of the relationship with the European Union is crucial in these efforts.

The MP for Feltham and Heston added that increasing cooperation with other countries, such as France and Bulgaria and Iraq, was also helping to tackle people-smuggling gangs. She said that the cooperation must continue to have the desired impact on smuggling drugs and people.

This article highlights the success of the recent joint operation and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in combating criminal activities.

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