TWO ARRESTED AFTER UNDERWATER STING

Police have arrested two divers and seized cannabis with a street value of
?2.5m in a bizarre underwater sting. Officers from Operation Trident -
which has been tackling gun and drug crime in London - arrested the men in
the Thames at Silvertown in east London.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service Marine Support Unit found the
drugs in waterproof containers concealed in the bell housing underneath a
nearby cargo boat.

The haul, which was made at around 2130GMT on Thursday night, was part of a
pre-planned intelligence-led operation with HMS Customs & Excise.

Two men in their 30s wearing full diving suits were arrested and taken to
separate east London police stations, where they remain in custody.

The drugs have now been removed for analysis.

Detective Supt Barry Phillips from Operation Trident said: "This is a major
drugs seizure and will have a significant impact on the distribution of
cannabis throughout the capital.

"Once again, Operation Trident has proved its commitment to tackling drug
crime by taking drugs out of circulation."