A "significant" haul of cocaine worth an estimated £37million has been seized from a boat off the coast of Suffolk. 

The National Crime Agency (NCA) started an investigation after a rigid hulled inflatable boat was intercepted near East Benacre Broads, near Southwold and Lowestoft, on Monday.

The boat failed to stop and a man was seen jumping from the vessel and swimming towards the beach. 

When the boat was stopped, Border Force and NCA officers searched the vessel and found about 350kg of cocaine was found hidden under tarpaulin on the front. 

Investigators believe the vessel had travelled out to sea where it had met a larger ship and collected the drugs. 

READ MORE: Man arrested after victim threatened with knife during robbery

350kg of cocaine was found under tarpaulin350kg of cocaine was found under tarpaulin (Image: NCA)

Fifty-five-year-old Bruce Knowles, of Dereham, and 31-year-old Ferhat Gumrukguoglu, from the Netherlands, were arrested on the day of the incident on suspicion of importing a controlled drug. 

They were charged to appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court. 

Knowles appeared in court on Tuesday and was remanded until his next appearance on July 23. 

Gumrukguoglu will appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Hundreds of illegal vapes and cigarettes seized in operation

Paul Orchard, from the NCA, said: "This is a very significant seizure of cocaine and will be a huge loss for the organised crime group involved in smuggling it into the UK.

"With thanks to our partners in Border Force, we have been able to remove these dangerous drugs from the market before they reached the streets of the UK where they would undoubtedly have fuelled further crime and exploitation.

"This seizure is a great example of joint working to disrupt criminal activity and protect the public from serious and organised crime.

"Our investigation into this importation continues."