Two ‘drug smugglers’ arrested as yacht seized off Cornwall coast

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking after a sailboat was seized in the English Channel.

The yacht was intercepted off the coast of southwest Cornwall and escorted to Newlyn.

Newlyn Port was temporarily closed by police on “public safety” grounds following the seizure – but was later reopened.

Footage from the scene shows NCA officers unloading a large quantity of drugs from the yacht named Marcia following the seizure.

A team specializing in bombs also went to the scene as part of the investigation.

Members of the National Crime Agency are leading the operation with support from the UK Border Force and Devon and Cornwall Police – who remain at the scene.

An NCA spokesman said: “As part of an operation led by the National Crime Agency, HMC Vigilant Border Force intercepted a sailing yacht off the south west coast of Cornwall and escorted the vessel into Newlyn Harbour, where he arrived yesterday (Thursday, July 20) .

“Two men have been arrested for drug dealing offenses and are now being interviewed by NCA officers who are leading the investigation.”