Cannabis found on banana lorry at Harwich
Cannabis with an estimated street value of £400,000 has been found in a lorry load of bananas at an Essex port.
UK Border Agency officers at Harwich found the drugs on the lorry which arrived from Rotterdam on Thursday.
The smugglers had hollowed out the fifth wheel, which joins the lorry with a trailer, to hide two 10ft (3m) tubes full of drugs, a spokesman said.
The vehicle which was carrying 23 tonnes of bananas in its trailer, was scanned during routine examinations.
The lorry driver was being questioned by police.
Investigators do not believe the importer was involved in the crime and it is likely the bananas will reach their intended destination.
Marc Owen, from the UK Border Agency, said: “The smugglers had gone to great lengths to try and conceal the drugs.
“Drug smugglers are criminals who are only out to make a profit and care nothing for the trail of devastation their illegal trade leaves in its wake.”
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