Suspicious packages found on Isle of Wight beaches are likely to have come from South America and initial testing indicates the substance is cocaine, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has told the County Press.

A major investigation is ongoing but the NCA believes it has now recovered all the suspected drugs.

As the County Press previously reported, Islanders were asked to look out for suspicious packages on Saturday (7), after a 'significant quantity' of suspected cocaine was found on an Island beach and in Dorset.

It led to a heavy police presence in the West Wight and an appeal for a litter picker.

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On Sunday (8) a large package, wrapped in plastic and secured with blue rope, was found on the sand on the Island's west coast.

The NCA has said initial testing indicates the substance recovered from the packages is cocaine.

It said they have been sent for forensic examination to confirm this, as well as the purity and quantity involved. 

A spokesperson said: "The drugs were most likely transported from South America on a merchant ship.

"At this time we believe we have recovered all the suspected drugs but the investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement remain vigilant to the possibility that further packages could be recovered."

On October 2, a fisherman found holdalls containing hundreds of kilos of powder in the sea off Dorset, at St Aldhelm’s point and Durdle Door.

If you locate any suspicious packages, call 999 for advice, said police.