A man is in custody in Co Cork, Ireland, after police seized up to a tonne of cocaine from the sea off the coast of Mizen Head, Ireland’s most southerly point. The drugs, worth an estimated £48million, were on-board a RIB that capsized in rough seas after leaving Mizen Head early on Monday morning. Two men were on board; one swam to shore and raised the alarm at 0800hrs. Coastguards and local lifeboat crews searched for his crewmate, who was rescued shortly afterwards, but placed in gardai custody as the rescue operation quickly transformed into a massive drugs squad investigation.

Residents reported seeing dozens of white waterproof bales, which encased the drugs, bobbing in the sea off Dun Lough Bay about a mile offshore. Two of them were taken out of the sea by helicopter while lifeboat crews and customs officials recovered more. Police are said to be investigating a theory that the drugs originated in the Caribbean and a vehicle was waiting on the shore to pick up the consignment.

Original Story: Guardian Online click here for full story