Multiple separate packages of Class A drugs have been discovered by police in west Wales as part of a huge operation. Packages of what is suspected to be cocaine were found washed up at two sites near Aberystwyth last weekend, sparking a widespread investigation which remains ongoing, officers for Dyfed-Powys Police have said.
Thirty black bags were found washed up at Tan-y-Bwlch beach by a walker on Saturday morning. The man said the bags were all tied together with rope, interspersed with plastic jugs, presumably to keep the bags afloat. Police later confirmed that the bags were all thought to contain cocaine, and that they consisted of an “unusually large amount”.
Today, Friday, October 7, the force said its officers had searched a “significant area of land and sea” since the discovery. Specialist policing teams have also been deployed including from neighbouring forces, the National Crime Agency and the National Police Air Service. You can get more local news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
It said there had since been finds in a number of places along the coast, all of which had been seized by officers for analysis. Initial tests suggest the substance recovered is cocaine, however the packages will undergo further examination, which could take a number of weeks.
Residents and holidaymakers along the Ceredigion coast - some of whom have told WalesOnline of a heavy police presence at Borth beach in recent days - have been thanked for their cooperation and asked to be vigilant and report anything suspicious to the force immediately.
A force spokesman said: “This has been a significant operation so far, which has involved a large amount of resources both from Dyfed-Powys, neighbouring forces and partner agencies. Since the discovery of a number of packages of what we suspect to be cocaine, ground, aerial and marine crews have all been dispatched to monitor the area in case there were further items at sea.
“We are aware that the public have seen a higher presence of police in the area than usual, and we would like to thank them for their vigilance, patience and support. The police presence will continue over the coming days, and we repeat our message that anyone who finds a package – or knows someone who has – should contact us immediately. The contents shouldn’t be touched, and partner agencies have been briefed this morning of the risks associated with the possession of this find.”
Work is ongoing to establish how the bundles came to land ashore in Wales and who they might belong to originally.
One holidaymaker told WalesOnline this week how there had been a significant police presence in and around Borth beach, north of Aberystwyth, this week - including police helicopters.
"It looked like an episode out of a police film," they said. "Loads of police cars screaming up and down the road with lights and sirens and the helicopter in the car park. Police advice is to be careful on the beaches and if we see any suspicious packages to call the police."
The walker who found the first package on Saturday said : “I was out for my early morning walk when I saw something on the beach. I was intrigued and walked up to it and knew what it was almost straight away. An old lady called the police and they came around half an hour later. They cut open a bag and it looked like pure cocaine. They dragged it off the beach and took it away.”
On Tuesday the force said in a statement: "Following the weekend's recovery of class A drugs found at two sites along the Ceredigion coast after storms, officers are monitoring the water ahead of further adverse weather. This is a precautionary measure in the event there may be further packages at sea.
"Officers are stressing the importance of notifying police immediately if you find a package or know of anyone who has. The contents shouldn’t be touched, and partner agencies have been briefed this morning of the risks associated with the possession of this find.”
READ NEXT:
- Woman appears to 'give baby a vodka shot' in appalling video
- Mum and young son flee as masked men torch car outside their front door
- Man, 31, dies after van crashes into wall
- Welsh road 'completely blocked' by landslide
- Police find huge cannabis factory in leafy Cardiff suburb
Find out about crime levels where you live:
