Police investigating packages of suspected cocaine which were found on Isle of Wight beaches have confirmed they have spoken to one man who took contents from a haul, but are continuing to appeal to find another.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has told the County Press it is yet to find a litter picker it would like to speak to.

An appeal was launched on Saturday (7) after a package washed up on beach in the West Wight.

A man believed to be aged in his 60s was, and continues to be, sought by officers.

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He is described as:

  • Slim build
  • Around 5ft 6ins tall
  • With short grey hair
  • A birth mark on the right side of his mouth

A spokesperson for the force said: "When we first received a report that a package has washed up on the beach, it was also reported that a man had taken some of this and left the beach before we arrived, explaining his intention was to hand this in.

"Part of our ongoing enquiries are to identify this man and locate him, and this continues."

Another man who took contents from a package, intending to hand it in, has spoken with police and is not under investigation, the force said.

Earlier today it was confirmed to the County Press that the substance in the packages is cocaine, initial tests show.

The National Crime Agency 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", a spokesperson said.

Packages were found on Island beaches on Saturday (7) and Sunday (8).

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.