A FISHERMAN and litter-pickers found a significant quantity of cocaine washed up in holdalls on the south coast.

Hundreds of kilos of the Class A drug were found in the sea off St Aldhelm’s Point and Durdle Door in Dorset by a fisherman on Monday.

A second batch was found on a beach today by litter-pickers on the west coast of the Isle of Wight, the National Crime Agency said.

Police are now trying to contact one of the group who found the drugs, thought to have come from South America.

Dorset’s Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: “Officers from our marine team, supported by colleagues from across the force and HM Coastguard have been working tirelessly with the NCA and Border Force to recover these suspect packages.

“Searches remain ongoing and I would ask anyone who finds a holdall or similar package in suspect circumstances to please not touch the item, but contact Dorset Police immediately.”

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Hampshire’s Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Murray said: “We have been supporting the ongoing investigation with searches across the west Wight today, after a number of packages were discovered this morning by a group who were out litter-picking.

“This work is ongoing, and you will continue to see police throughout the evening and into tomorrow, and we would ask anyone who finds any suspicious bags or packages on the coastline of Hampshire and the island to get in touch with us immediately.

“There is a member of the litter picking group, a man in his 60s, who we want to make contact with, and we would ask him to get in touch with us.

“He is of slim build, around 5ft 6in tall and had short grey hair, with a birthmark on the right side of his mouth.

“Anyone who does locate any suspicious packages should call 999, with our call handlers able to provide further advice.”