Vlissingen port heightens police presence after 1,000-kilo cocaine bust in Britain

Police have stepped up security at the port of Vlissingen after what authorities called a “suspicious situation,” possibly linked to a massive cocaine seizure in the United Kingdom last week, according to Omroep Zeeland.

The move comes after British authorities intercepted more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine in the port of Sheerness last week. The shipment was destined for the Netherlands, according to investigators. The drugs have since been destroyed.

The police said last Monday that the harbor in Vlissingen-Oost will remain under heightened surveillance throughout the week. Officers are monitoring roads in and around the port, joined by Dutch customs and the Koninklijke Marechaussee, the country’s military police.

The suspicious activity in Vlissingen has not been explained further, including when it occurred or what triggered the alarm. Authorities said the increased controls could be extended beyond this week if necessary.