Police have seized cocaine worth an estimated street value of £15m.

Cumbria police said the drugs were discovered when two lorries trying to enter the UK at the port of Harwich in Essex were stopped and searched.

Seven men have been arrested and addresses in Cumbria, Lancashire, Lincs and Nottinghamshire are being searched as part of an on-going operation.

The two vehicles are believed to have come from Holland and were targeted as part of a long-running investigation.

Police in Cumbria, Lancashire and HM Customs say drugs were only found in one of the lorries, but both vehicles are connected to the smuggling ring.

One of the men arrested is a 49-year-old from Kendal.

On-going operations

Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Ashton, of Cumbria CID, said: "There are also on-going operations with about five other forces to trace others suspected of being involved.

"A number of private and business addresses across the UK are being raided."

He added: "I am absolutely delighted with the success of this operation and the fact that we have prevented such a large quantity of cocaine from reaching the streets of Britain."