A THREE-and-a-half tonne haul of herbal cannabis worth a staggering �10 million has been seized in Felixstowe.

A THREE-and-a-half tonne haul of herbal cannabis worth a staggering �10 million has been seized in Felixstowe.

The consignment, which was described as “personal and household items” on import paperwork, was discovered by UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers at Felixstowe Port.

Jim Jarvie from UKBA said: “This is a huge amount of cannabis that we have successfully removed from our streets.

“In line with the government's drugs strategy, we work with our partners at home and abroad to reduce the availability of these illegal substances.

“Drugs have a significant and damaging effect on all our communities and I would urge anyone with any information on smuggling to telephone our 24-hour hotline.”

The consignment arrived in a container from Ghana on January 21.

Officers at Felixstowe examining the load were expecting personal and household effects as the documentation described.

However, when they opened the container, they were hit by the drug's powerful smell and quickly realised the consignment contained cannabis.

Removing the goods, they discovered a false bottom in the container which concealed hundreds of packets of the illegal drug.

No arrests have been made but enquiries are ongoing.

Those who have information on drug smuggling should call the UKBA hotline on 0800 595000.