COCAINE with a street value of £9 million was netted after a raid in Newport - the biggest drugs haul in Gwent's history.

The massive 120 kilo haul found was the result of months of painstaking work by Gwent police, Customs and Excise and the National Crime Squad in a joint operation.

Armed police raided a warehouse on the Astral business park, Spytty, Newport, making three arrests at 6.10pm on Saturday before making eight further arrests at other Newport addresses.

The three agencies had come together following intelligence regarding drug shipments from the Caribbean in Operation Kalouchin.

The operation follows a number of anti-drugs crackdowns in the area and warnings about the issue from senior police officers and politicians.

Superintendent Nigel Russell, pictured, who led the Gwent police operation, said: "On Saturday we saw the conclusion of three months of intensive work with a series of successful raids.

"The National Crime Squad and Customs and Excise asked for assistance in the arrest phase of a very long operation and we have spent the last three months planning and adapting as circumstances changed.

"The drugs were concealed in hardwood shipped from the Caribbean to Felixstowe - they were then transported by road to Newport.

"On Saturday, armed police moved in on a warehouse off Corporation Road and made three arrests. A total of 11 suspects arrested in the raids were held at Maindee police station and they were due to appear at Caerphilly magistrates today.

"It was the biggest drugs raid in Gwent's history and I have to say I am exceptionally impressed by the work of the Customs and Excise."

A spokesman for Customs said: "This joint operation led law enforcement officers from Felixstowe to a warehouse in Newport.

"The cocaine arrived at Felixstowe on 29 May and was concealed in a consignment of timber that had arrived from Guyana."

In a separate operation, Customs seized 400 kilos of heroin worth £30 million in a consignment of cat litter from Turkey. The record heroin seizure also taken at the weekend is also thought to have been destined for Wales.

Trevor Joseph, 47, of Gidea Park, Essex, Hamim Soylu, 46, of Rowanwood Avenue, Sidcup, and John Dalgleash, 56, of Waun Sidan, Pembrey, appeared at Horseferry Magistrates, London, and are charged in connection with the heroin seizure.

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