Five arrested for smuggling 200 kilos of heroin, aimed at Britain

Five people have been arrested in the Netherlands in connection with the seizure of 202 kilos of heroin in a consignment of textiles in Rotterdam port.

The drugs were found hidden in boxes of textiles in a container from Pakistan that was destined for the British market, the public prosecution department said in a statement.

The drug had been divided into over 2,000 plastic bags of around one kilo each. With an average price of around €45 a gramme in Britain, according to EU figures, the street value of the haul is around €9m.

Two of the five arrested have British nationality. One, a 31-year-old man, who is considered to be the main suspect, was arrested while driving on the A2 motorway near Nieuwegein. His 23-year-old passenger, from Amsterdam, was also arrested.

The second British man was arrested at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport on Monday. The 38-year-old was on the point of flying to London, the public prosecutor said.

Later on Monday, a 32-year-old man from Pakistan and a 56-year-old Amsterdammer were also arrested driving on the A2, this time near Den Bosch.

All five are expected to be remanded in custody on Thursday.

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