An investigation is underway after a number of packages of cocaine have washed up along the Sussex coast.

A number of suspect packages were discovered along beaches in West Sussex over the last few weeks.

Drugs washed up in Ferring on October 12, Middleton and Felpham on October 13, Selsey on October 19 and Goring on October 23.

Some of the packages that washed ashore in Sussex were marked with the word “POPI”.

Armed police were called to the scene to seize the drugs after they were spotted along the Sussex coast.

Other holdalls containing hundreds of kilograms of narcotics have also been reported in the sea off the coast of Dorset and the Isle of Wight, with the initial find made by a fisherman on October 2.

The packages, which were taken away for forensic testing, are now believed to have contained cocaine.

It is believed that the discoveries could be linked to an incident on October 2, when cocaine was reportedly dumped in the Solent by smugglers.

The Argus: Drugs first appeared along the Sussex coast in Ferring on October 13Drugs first appeared along the Sussex coast in Ferring on October 13 (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

The National Crime Agency is investigating the finds and said that a significant amount of the cocaine “would have originated in South America”.

Tracey Lake, senior investigating officer for the National Crime Agency, said: “A loss of a consignment of this size would represent a significant hit to the criminal networks involved.”

A spokeswoman for the National Crime Agency added: “A significant amount of what is believed to be cocaine has been recovered across the South East coast of England since October 2.

“The NCA’s investigation is ongoing, and is being supported by Border Force, Dorset Police and Hampshire Police.”

Anyone who finds any additional suspect packages is urged to report them to police.