UK agency seizes £3bn of cocaine

The UK's new nationwide law enforcement agency says it seized one fifth of Europe's cocaine supply in its first year of operation. <br />The Serious Organised Crime Agency said 73 tonnes of cocaine with a street value of £3bn were uncovered. <br />In its annual report, Soca reveals it has prevented 35 potential murders and drawn up a list of 1,600 crime chiefs. <br />But critics have called for more transparency - saying it is difficult to genuinely judge its progress. <br />The agency began operation in April 2006 following the merger of the National Criminal Intelligence Service, the National Crime Squad and other law enforcement agencies. <br />In its first annual report, Soca said it had: <br />Seized cocaine worth £125m to producers - a major hit to traffickers <br />Arrested 749 people in the UK and 1,096 overseas <br />Achieved a 95% success rate in the courts, including with inherited cases.

UK agency seizes £3bn of cocaine

The UK's new nationwide law enforcement agency says it seized one fifth of Europe's cocaine supply in its first year of operation. T...

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UK's answer to FBI accused of spin in drug seizures claims

Headline-grabbing claims of record drugs seizures by Britain's answer to the FBI - the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) - have prompted calls for a parliamentary investigation amid suspicions that the organisation is "spinning" its success. <br />Soca's recent boast that it has seized a record 73 tons of cocaine in its first year was widely reported across the media. But the agency is refusing to provide any evidence to back up its dramatic claims.<br />According to Soca's chairman, Sir Stephen Lander, a former MI5 chief, the huge haul of cocaine had a street value of £3bn and equalled one-fifth of the annual supply to Europe. But when The Independent on Sunday asked the agency to provide a breakdown of its cocaine seizures it stalled for 11 days before saying it was "unwilling" to provide any details.

UK's answer to FBI accused of spin in drug seizures claims

Headline-grabbing claims of record drugs seizures by Britain's answer to the FBI - the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) - have prom...

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