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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| £1.65m drugs haul found on beach | £1.65m drugs haul found on beach |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Drugs with an estimated street value of £1.65m have been found washed up on a Gwynedd beach. | Drugs with an estimated street value of £1.65m have been found washed up on a Gwynedd beach. |
| A large sealed package containing about 30kg (65lb) of high purity cocaine was discovered by a member of the public in the Meirionnydd area. | |
| Last week drugs were also washed up at Bude in north Cornwall and at the Lizard Peninsula. | Last week drugs were also washed up at Bude in north Cornwall and at the Lizard Peninsula. |
| North Wales Police confirmed they were working closely with Devon and Cornwall officers to see if there was a link. | North Wales Police confirmed they were working closely with Devon and Cornwall officers to see if there was a link. |
| The outer package of the Gwynedd find was carefully sealed with smaller packages inside. | The outer package of the Gwynedd find was carefully sealed with smaller packages inside. |
| Det Insp Jim Coy of North Wales Police said they had recovered about 30kg (65lb) of high purity cocaine on the beach. | |
| We are working on the theory that the incidents are linked, but keeping an open mind. Det Insp Jim Coy | We are working on the theory that the incidents are linked, but keeping an open mind. Det Insp Jim Coy |
| He said a chemical test for cocaine was positive but it is undergoing further examination. | He said a chemical test for cocaine was positive but it is undergoing further examination. |
| Inside the "bale" - which measured approx 70cm by 30cm by 30cm (28in by 12in by 12in) - there were 25 smaller packets. | |
| Det Insp Coy said there were "striking similarities" with the drugs finds in Cornwall last week but he added that "for every similarity there is a dissimilarity". | Det Insp Coy said there were "striking similarities" with the drugs finds in Cornwall last week but he added that "for every similarity there is a dissimilarity". |
| "The timing of each find is significant in itself - as is the approximate sizes and nature of the packages," said Det Insp Coy. | "The timing of each find is significant in itself - as is the approximate sizes and nature of the packages," said Det Insp Coy. |
| "We are working on the theory that the incidents are linked, but keeping an open mind. | "We are working on the theory that the incidents are linked, but keeping an open mind. |
| "It appears to have been in the water for a long time". | "It appears to have been in the water for a long time". |
| Operational reasons | Operational reasons |
| The cocaine was first taken to Dolgellau police station and then transferred to police headquarters in Colwyn Bay. | The cocaine was first taken to Dolgellau police station and then transferred to police headquarters in Colwyn Bay. |
| A joint investigation has been launched with HM Revenue and Customs. | A joint investigation has been launched with HM Revenue and Customs. |
| After the discovery, a search was carried out using the force helicopter, RAF helicopter, the navy and coastguard along the Meirionnydd coastline, but nothing further was found. | After the discovery, a search was carried out using the force helicopter, RAF helicopter, the navy and coastguard along the Meirionnydd coastline, but nothing further was found. |
| The discovery of the drugs was made 10 days ago but was not publicised until now for operational reasons, the spokeswoman added. | The discovery of the drugs was made 10 days ago but was not publicised until now for operational reasons, the spokeswoman added. |
| Police are not releasing the exact location of the find. | Police are not releasing the exact location of the find. |
| Det Supt Peter Chalinor said: "This is a substantial amount of Class A drugs that no doubt was on its way to the UK mainland. | Det Supt Peter Chalinor said: "This is a substantial amount of Class A drugs that no doubt was on its way to the UK mainland. |
| "If members of the public find any suspicious packages or parcels washed up on the shoreline they should contact us or HM Revenue and Customs immediately," he added. | "If members of the public find any suspicious packages or parcels washed up on the shoreline they should contact us or HM Revenue and Customs immediately," he added. |
| Anyone with information is asked to phone North Wales Police on 0845 607 1001 (Welsh) or 0845 607 1002 (English). | Anyone with information is asked to phone North Wales Police on 0845 607 1001 (Welsh) or 0845 607 1002 (English). |