The Irish Defence Forces have taken part in an international operation that's led to a major cocaine seizure off the English coast.
Five men have been arrested.
The Defence Forces here were alerted about the suspected drug trafficking vessel, based on intelligence from the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre in Portugal.
A Naval Service vessel and an Air Corps Maritime Patrol aircraft tracked the yacht 'Nomad' as it sailed through Irish waters off the south coast.
As it approached the coast of Cornwall, it was intercepted by a UK Border Force vessel and escorted to shore.
NCA and Border Force officers have intercepted a catamaran containing cocaine off the coast of Cornwall.
The NCA led operation has resulted in a significant amount of cocaine being removed from the vessel in Newlyn harbour and five men arrested on drug trafficking offences. pic.twitter.com/f3ZzFolev9
— NationalCrimeAgency (@NCA_UK) August 30, 2018
The UK's National Crime Agency has issued images of what appears to be cocaine parcels hidden in the hold of the catamaran yacht.
Officials said a 'significant quantity' of the drug has been seized.
Further searches of the vessel are also planned.
Five men have been arrested for drug trafficking offences, and are now being questioned by detectives in the UK.
