Couple tell of "drugs" discovery

10:34am Saturday 17th May 2008

A couple who found a mysterious package, thought to contain thousands of pounds worth of illegal drugs, have exclusively told the Western Telegraph of their find.

Former Milford Haven pilot Brian Ball and his wife Anne were on a Venture Jet marine wildlife expedition to Ramsey Island to celebrate their 42nd wedding anniversary when they spotted the floating package two-and-a-half miles from the coast.

Brian helped crew members investigate the package, cutting into it with a pocket knife.

"There was white powder inside. I recognised the smell and appearance of the powder from a stand at the County Show a couple of years ago where samples of various drugs were put out to help people recognise illegal substances, " he said.

"This substance seemed to be either heroin or cocaine," he added.

Brian said that passengers on board the power boat were both amused and intrigued by the discovery.

"We were like modern day enquirers," said Brian, "I thought it was a fishing float at first, but it was really heavy and wrapped in layer upon layer of hessian and polythene.

"The outer layer was covered in netting. It became obvious that whatever it was was meant to be picked up."

Skipper and co-owner of Venture Jet, Beth Swan, said: "We spotted a gull standing on something in the sea, and assumed it was a bit of rubbish or possibly a dead seal which needed to be dealt with.

"On closer inspection, we saw the packaging and hauled it on board. It was incredibly heavy and that's when we became suspicious."

Coastguards went to meet the boat, then the crew and sightseeing passengers waited while the package was handed to police at St Justinians.

"It is possible that the package came in this way with the tide," said Beth.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that a suspicious package had been found off the coast of St Davids to the north of Ramsey Island, between The Bishops and Carreg Rhoson.

The package has been sent to forensics for testing and identification.