Two arrested after underwater sting

The drugs were found underneath a boat on the Thames

Police have arrested two divers and seized cannabis with a street value of £2.5m in a bizarre underwater sting.

Officers from Operation Trident - which has been tackling gun and drug crime in London - arrested the men in the Thames at Silvertown in east London.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service Marine Support Unit found the drugs in waterproof containers concealed in the bell housing underneath a nearby cargo boat.

The haul, which was made at around 2130GMT on Thursday night, was part of a pre-planned intelligence-led operation with HMS Customs & Excise.

Two men in their 30s wearing full diving suits were arrested and taken to separate east London police stations, where they remain in custody.

The drugs have now been removed for analysis.

Detective Supt Barry Phillips from Operation Trident said: "This is a major drugs seizure and will have a significant impact on the distribution of cannabis throughout the capital.

"Once again, Operation Trident has proved its commitment to tackling drug crime by taking drugs out of circulation."