This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jul/21/dutch-men-due-in-court-over-cocaine-seized-from-boat-in-english-channel

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Dutch men due in court over cocaine seized from boat in English Channel Two men charged over cocaine seized from boat in English Channel
(about 2 hours later)
Two Dutch men were due in court on Saturday following a “significant seizure of cocaine” from a boat in the English Channel. Two men have been charged with drug importation offences after a yacht carrying what police described as a significant cargo of cocaine was intercepted in the harbour of one of Cornwall’s most popular seaside towns.
Maarten Peter Pieterse, 59, and Emile Adriaan Jeroen Schoemaker, 44, were charged with drug importation offences, the National Crime Agency said. The Dutch nationals were arrested afterraided by Border Force officers raided the yacht they were sailing as it entered the fishing port of Newlyn.
The charges came after a yacht was intercepted off the coast of south-west Cornwall on Thursday and escorted to Newlyn. Police said the exact quantity of cocaine was not yet known. Police temporarily closed the harbour, which is home to one of the largest fishing fleets in the UK and an established tourist destination, as officers searched the vessel a short distance offshore.
The men will appear at Bristol magistrates court on Saturday. Maarten Peter Pieterse, 59, and Emile Adriaan Jeroen Schoemaker, 44, are due to appear via video link at Bristol magistrates court on Saturday.
Newlyn harbour was closed for several hours and later reopened. The National Crime Agency, which led the investigation, described the haul as a “significant seizure of cocaine”, but the precise quantity is not yet known.
Newlyn’s harbourmaster had earlier explained that the port had been briefly closed for public safety reasons while the raid was carried out.
The Border Force cutter HMC Vigilant, whose primary brief is to detect “prohibited and restricted goods” in UK waters, docked in the harbour after the raid was complete.
The National Crime Agency said: “Our operation at the harbour will continue over the weekend with ongoing support from Border Force and Devon and Cornwall police.”
UK newsUK news
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content