SIXTY kilos of cocaine has been seized at Dover docks at the end of a long-running Customs surveillance operation.

The lorry arrived at the port late on Monday and the drugs, with an estimated street value of more than £3 million, were found hidden in what Customs described as “a very sophisticated concealment” inside the wheel axles. The vehicle had come from Belgium via Calais.

Three men have been arrested and are being questioned by Customs officers. Homes and offices in Kent and Essex have also been searched.

Customs spokesman and assistant chief investigation officer Philip Matthews said: “This is an excellent example of international co-operation among law enforcement agencies at its best.

“We have severely disrupted a major drugs transport organisation that was importing class A drugs to the UK in very sophisticated concealments.

“Throughout this long-term investigation, we have worked closely with colleagues from the National Crime Squad, Kent and Essex police, National Criminal Intelligence Service and European police services via Europol.

“This is a significant seizure, removing a considerable quantity of class A drugs from the streets.”