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Two Brits have been arrested for allegedly smuggling £50million of cocaine into the UK on a private jet from Colombia.

Border Force officials found 500kg of Class A drug after examining 15 suitcases on a private jet from Bogota that landed at Farnborough Airport, Hampshire, on Monday, according to the Home Office.

The Home Office has said a full forensic analysis of the discovery is underway and have arrested three other people alongside the two Brits on suspicion of importing Class A drugs.

They included two Spanish and one Italian man.

Border Force deputy chief operating officer, Mike Stepney, said: “Working with law enforcement colleagues like the National Crime Agency (NCA) we are determined to prevent drug trafficking and bring those responsible to justice.

(Image: Home Office/Border Force) (Image: Getty Images Europe)

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“This was a significant find made possible by the vigilance of dedicated Border Force officers.

"They have prevented a substantial quantity of drugs from ending up on our streets and causing untold misery and damage to our communities.

“After meeting the flight and questioning those on board, officers became suspicious and searched the aircraft and their luggage.

"When opened, each case was found to contain between 34 to 37 tape wrapped packages weighing approximately one kilo each.

"One of these was pierced and a white powder exposed which tested positive for cocaine.”

The investigation was passed to the NCA. Hampshire Constabulary also helped by guarding the men arrested and moving the drugs to a secure location.

(Image: Home Office/Border Force)

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Three addresses in the Bournemouth area have been searched by the NCA as part of the investigation, and items including computers and phones were seized.

The crew of the plane were also questioned and were released without charge.

NCA operations manager Siobhan Micklethwaite said: “This is a major seizure of cocaine, one of the largest flown into the UK by plane in many years, and this seizure by Border Force represents a major blow to organised crime.

“We estimate that once cut and sold on the streets in the UK it would have had a potential value in excess of £50 million.

“Our investigations into this attempted importation are continuing.”