An Islington man has been charged in connection with the seizure of half a tonne of cannabis.

Islington Gazette: Police seized half a tonne of cannabis in the raidPolice seized half a tonne of cannabis in the raid (Image: Archant)

Chris Gilder, 34, of Almorah Road, was charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis following the huge haul in Kent last week.

The drugs, thought to be destined for London and the north of England, were seized following surveillance operation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Met police.

Three vans were intercepted near a unit in an industrial estate in Ashford, Kent.

Searches of the vehicles and the unit revealed approximately half a tonne of herbal cannabis and cannabis resin as well as five kilos of cocaine.

Vince Philpott, from the two agencies’ Middle Market Drugs Partnership, said: “We believe the drugs would have been distributed in London and the north of England.

“The National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police will continue to intercept drug shipments to keep our towns and cities safe.”

Five other men were also charged; Freddie Koen, 49, from Rotterdam, and Danny Filius, 45, from Hoogvliet, were charged with conspiracies to supply cocaine and cannabis.

The other three, Colin Marks, 48, of Brompton Road, Manchester, Shakeel Quyam, 29, of Cark Road, Bradford, and Grant Langley, 23, of Victoria Avenue, Uxbridge, were charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis.

All six men have been remanded in custody to appear at Blackfriars Crown Court on November 20.