Officers from Northamptonshire police’s organised crime unit yesterday revealed they seized the stash of cannabis in a lorry travelling between Daventry and Corby – believed to be the biggest discovery ever in the UK

The drugs had been shipped into the country from Cuba, via Jamaica, and arrived in the UK at Tilbury Docks, in Kent.

The shipment was then transported via the rail network to the Daventry International Railfreight Terminal (DIRFT), where the huge haul of drugs was loaded onto a lorry destined for Corby. Once there, police believe the drugs would have been distributed across the country.

Inside the lorry officers found 1.3 tonnes of herbal cannabis, with an estimated street value of £7m, stashed inside 44 boxes. Police also found 10kg of cannabis oil, classified as a Class A drug, valued at £150,000.

Det Sgt Glyn Bumford said the force had been leading the search for the ‘international, well-organised crime group’ since the drugs were seized last April.

He said police had been unable to release details of the seizure until yesterday for ‘operational reasons’.

He said: “Having seen the way the drugs were packaged we believe they were destined for a number of different people. They were all packaged and marked differently.

“This was pre-meditated, pre-planned and well prepared and it was probably not the first time this has happened, given the amount of drugs involved.

“Certainly this was the biggest amount of drugs we have found in the county and if it is not the biggest ever in the country it is one of the biggest.”

Det Ch Insp Tom Davies, from the organised crime unit, said the force’s investigation now centred on one drug lord.

He said: “Inquiries were made internationally with other law enforcement agencies and these are continuing.

“We are looking to arrest a man in connection with this seizure and we maintain an open mind as to the eventual destination of this drugs consignment, but don’t believe at this time it was intended for Northamptonshire.”