British and South African authorities have made a record heroin seizure following on operation at London's Heathrow Airport and raids in both countries, officials said.Immigration officials discovered some of the drugs hidden in souvenirs from South Africa at Heathrow, sparking an investigation that netted 360 kilograms of heroin in total, the UK Border Agency said.Seven people have been arrested in both countries over the total seizure, worth $US41 million, the agency said.Thousands of kilograms of cannabis were also discovered, the agency said."This latest detection of heroin at Heathrow, believed to be our biggest ever, highlights our success in preventing class A drugs entering the UK," said Philip Astle, the UK Border Agency's Heathrow director.About 165 kilograms were discovered at Heathrow, a record seizure for the world's busiest airport, on September 9 in the consignment of souvenirs.After an investigation, police seized another 80 kilograms and arrested two people in Kent, south-east England, charging one with conspiracy to import drugs and possession, the agency said.Acting on information from Britain, South African police arrested five people, including three British nationals, and seized 115 kilograms of heroin and 6,500 kilograms of cannabis in a warehouse outside Durban. "These seizures are a great example of what can happen when partners work together, said Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency deputy director Andy Sellers."Both ends of this international chain have been attacked, and a significant amount of heroin and cannabis has been kept off the UK's streets." Staff at Heathrow airport uncovered drugs when they stopped a consignment of souvenirs from South Africa earlier this month.On closer inspection, they found 165kg of heroin hidden in the goods.
Officials from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) were alerted and a house was raided in Maidstone, Kent, where more heroin was discovered.
There have also been searches in Durban, South Africa, where further drug finds were made.A total of 360kg of heroin has now been recovered, as well as 6,500kg of herbal cannabis resin.The estimated street value of the drugs is £25m.Seven people have been arrested, including five in South Africa and two in Britain.Sky's home affairs correspondent Mark White said: "This is being hailed as a great success for the UK Border Agency which, in conjunction with SOCA, managed to thwart what was a huge shipment of the class A drug heroin into the UK."The agency claims to have managed to intercept an international drug smuggling ring, he added.The discovery of the heroin was made a week ago but details of the bust were kept secret while operations were still active.