POLICE have arrested a Yate man in Holland and seized approximately £2.6million worth of cocaine as part of a major investigation into the supply of drugs to the South West.

The 50-year-old man from the Yate area was arrested in Utrecht on suspicion of international drugs trafficking, participation in a criminal organisation and money laundering. He is currently in custody in Holland.

As part of the operation, Avon and Somerset police officers, working with the National Crime Agency and Dutch police, seized 66kgs of cocaine. Police initially estimated the haul had a street value of £1.65million but experts have since said the drugs had a wholesale value of £2.6million.

A 33-year-old woman was also arrested in the Yate area on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs and money laundering. She has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Six Dutch nationals were also arrested as part of the intelligence led investigation and police here have also searched a number of properties across South Gloucestershire and seized a large quantity of cash in addition to a number of assets.

Detective Inspector Charlotte Tucker said “These arrests send a strong message to anyone who thinks they can bring Class A drugs onto the streets of the South West that no matter where they are in the world we will pursue you and bring you to justice.

“Working side-by-side with our partners we are certain we have prevented what is an extremely large amount of cocaine destined to be brought back to the UK from being sold to communities across the Avon and Somerset force area.

“However, our efforts will not stop here. Our determination to disrupt the supply and distribution of all drugs coming into the region remains resolute and we will continue to act on any intelligence we receive.

“Our communities deserve to live without the fear of crime and the negative impact of drugs and we are committed to working with our partners across the world as well as those locally to tackle the problem of drugs.”