Drug found suspended in cosmetics

People are using 'ever-inventive' ways, officials say

More than 2.5kg (5.5lbs) of cocaine has been found in two separate consignments of cosmetics.

Customs officers at the UK's largest parcel depot, in Coventry, said both deliveries - for addresses in the West Midlands and London - were from Brazil.

The drugs, which had a purity of 70%, were found suspended in the liquid contained in bottles of cosmetics.

The estimated street value of £130,000 would double once cut by drug dealers, customs officials said.

About 1.5 kg (3.3lbs) worth £80,000 was found in one shipment and 1kg (2.2lbs) worth about £50,000 found in the second.

'Dangerous drug'

No arrests have currently been made and investigations are ongoing, a spokesman added.

Last summer, Coventry customs officers said cocaine was being concealed in "ever-inventive" ways after a consignment was found hidden inside beads mounted on decorative flowerpots.

A 300g package of the drug was also found hidden inside a plaque depicting the Last Supper.

More cocaine was also found inside 688 buttons and £25,000 worth was discovered hidden inside two tins of cookies.

Lin Coxon, detection manager for HM Revenue & Customs, said: "This latest seizure shows the skills and experience of our dedicated teams of officers in detecting this dangerous drug, despite the ever-inventive methods used by drug smugglers."