A Bolton man was one of four suspects arrested this morning after around £140 million worth of cocaine was discovered in a shipping container, police said.

The huge haul was found by Border Force at the port of Felixstowe, Suffolk, over summer and sparked an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

As a result of their investigation, a 39-year-old man from Bolton was one of four suspects arrested this morning in co-ordinated raids.

A 48-year-old man and a 67-year-old man from Chorley were arrested too, as was a 40-year-old man from Derby.

The Bolton News:

All of the arrests are on suspicion of conspiracy to import cocaine, and all four men remain in custody.

Richie Davies, NCA Branch Commander, said: "This is a massive haul of cocaine with an estimated street value of £140 million. 

"The NCA has been working intensely to identify and pursue those responsible.

The Bolton News:

"There is no doubt these drugs would have been sold on into communities across the UK in such ways as County Lines fuelling further crime and misery.

"Organised crime groups are motivated by money and the deprivation of these drugs knocks a hole in their plans and ability to operate.

"We continue to work with partners such as Border Force in our mission to protect the public from the Class A drugs threat."