TWO people have been arrested in Hanwell following a seizure of 500kg of cocaine at Sydney Airport that had been shipped from Heathrow.

A 56-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man were detained by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers at an address in Hanwell on Monday, June 21.

At the same time a 31-year-old woman was arrested at a location in Hounslow.

All three were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to export Class A drugs, fraud and breaches of the Aviation Security Act.

Officers also seized a gold bullion from the address in Hanwell which is thought to be in excess of £250,000, along with keys to a safety deposit box containing £60,000 in cash.

The trio were questioned and released under investigation on Tuesday, June 22.

The arrests followed the seizure of around half a tonne of cocaine at Sydney Airport on May 15, which had been shipped from Heathrow and is estimated to have a potential street value of £84million.

Australian Border Force found the drugs hidden in a consignment described as 'lift and tailgate parts' which had been shipped from Heathrow.

NCA investigators have been able to identify a number of other similar shipments made from the UK to Australia using a similar method.

NCA Branch Commander Andy Noyes said: "Our investigation is looking at a sophisticated network of criminals able to smuggle large quantities of class A drugs across the globe via air freight.

"Some of those involved appeared to have insider knowledge of freight systems which they exploited.

"Protecting the safety and security of the UK is a priority for us.

"Working through our overseas network with our partners in Australia and at home in the UK we are determined to do all we can to track down those involved, and our investigation will continue."