Three men have been arrested after a large amount of drugs were seized from a boat on the River Itchen. 

A 32-year-old man from Manchester, a 37-year-old man from Birmingham and a 36-year-old man from Solihull have all been arrested. 

It comes after an incident on July 8 this year that saw police board a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) on the River Itchen. 

A large amount of Class A drugs were seized during the incident at the mooring in Priory Road, near St Denys.

READ MORE: Police seize 'large quantity' of drugs from boat on River Itchen

This came after a report of suspicious activity taking place at the mooring, near Horseshoe Bridge.

All three men have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a class A drug, participating in the activities of an organised crime group and money laundering. 

Police previously arrested 29-year-old man from Solihull on suspicion of supplying a controlled Class A drug.

Detective Sergeant Dan Hope, from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: “We’ve made these arrests as part of our continued investigation following the stop of a van and discovery of class A drugs last month.  

“Tackling the supply of drugs is a key priority for SEROCU across the south east and we continue to work tirelessly using our specialist resources.”