More than £40 million worth of cocaine - some of it destined for Ireland - has been seized in the UK in an operation involving the gardaí.

Around 300 kilos of the drug were found hidden in a shipment of bananas on a cargo vessel in Portsmouth yesterday.

The shipment originated in Colombia.

Gardai involved in the operation believe at least part of the drug consignment was destined for Ireland.

They say the seizure is a major disruption to an Irish operated crime gang.