Police and special forces are fighting a cat and mouse game against the scourge of cartel 'mother ships', which circle Britain laden with cocaine before throwing their hauls overboard so they can be picked up by smugglers.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) says tens of millions of pounds worth of drugs are being trafficked into Britain using the method - and are urging coastal communities to be on high alert.
The tactic involves South American cartels stashing drugs on container ships heading to Europe so they can approach British waters without attracting attention.
Bales of drugs attached to flotation devices fitted with trackers are then ditched into the water, before local smuggling gangs come out to find them.
In response, the NCA and Border Force are urging people living along the coast to report any suspicious sightings of small boats in harbours, coves or beaches.
