Firearms and drugs worth millions found at port

Millions of pounds worth of firearms and drugs have been recovered from a lorry at the Port of Dover, according to the National Crime Agency.

Twenty firearms, 320 rounds of ammunition and 170kg of ketamine were confiscated from a Lithuanian registered HGV.

The driver, a 34-year-old Tajikistan national, was arrested on suspicion of smuggling the illegal items.

Dave Smith, Border Force director for the South East, said: "This is a significant seizure which demonstrates the vital work Border Force officers do every day to keep lethal weapons and dangerous drugs off our streets."

Among the haul, officers also discovered more than 4,000 MDMA -also known as ecstasy or molly - pills.

NCA investigators estimated the street value of the ketamine to be about £4.5m, and the MDMA to be £40,000.

The firearms will be tested by NCA experts, but are believed to be viable pistols, the agency said.

Darren Herbert, NCA senior investigating officer, said: "Our investigation to trace and detain the individuals responsible for the attempted importation is ongoing.

"Alongside our domestic and international partners, we are relentless in our efforts to suppress the supply of firearms to UK-based organised crime groups."

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