The blue boxes where the drugs were found

by Tim Collins

A haul of cannabis with a street value of around £5million has been seized by police in Ashford.

Almost two tons of cannabis resin was found in the back of a lorry following an enquiry by officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

The drugs haul, which is said to be the largest seizure of cannabis resin in the force's history, was found in specially constructed metal boxes that had been placed in a refrigerated container lorry.

Officers visited a farm in Sandy Lane, Ashford, and stopped a lorry hauling a 40ft refrigerated container on Friday.

On searching the vehicle, officers found two bright blue metal boxes which contained a vast quantity of cannabis resin.

Black cannabis resin

The driver was arrested and, following questioning, two other men were also arrested.

DCI Eddie Fox, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: "We have been successful in taking a staggering amount of illegal drugs off of the streets.

"This was a huge haul which will never make its way into circulation in the county.

"Our action to tackle drugs in Kent should send a warning message to people within organised criminal networks that we will leave no stone unturned to find them and put them before the court."