More than £30 million of cocaine seized at Eastbourne Marina

National Crime Agency (NCA) officers have seized 425kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of £34 million at Eastbourne Marina (Sovereign Harbour) during a major drugs bust on 8 June 2026

Five men have been arrested and remain in custody for questioning.

Key Details of the Operation

• The Seizure: Officers recovered 425 kilograms of the Class A drug. The haul is estimated to have a street value of approximately £34 million. 
• The Smuggling Method: It is alleged that four of the arrested men used a fishing vessel named the New Horizon to collect the drugs after they were dropped into the English Channel by a separate cargo vessel. 
• The Arrests: NCA officers intercepted the suspects as they returned to shore. Four individuals were arrested directly from the boat, while a fifth man, who was not on board, was arrested on land at the harbour.
• The Suspects: The men are aged between 32 and 49 and are originally from Scotland and Eastbourne. 

Agency Response

The operation was executed with the critical backing of the NCA's Maritime, Aviation & Military Intervention Cell. Locals at Sovereign Harbour described a massive law enforcement presence, comparing the scene near Fisherman's Wharf to a police television drama as dozens of police cars swarmed the area. 

This major bust highlights an ongoing pattern of organised crime groups attempting to bypass major UK commercial shipping ports by utilizing smaller coastal towns and marinas to traffic Class A substances.