Two men were found in the water in wetsuits on the Felixstowe side and brought to shore by the Harwich lifeboat crew

SEVERAL men have been arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling after reports of people in the water at Harwich International Port.

Just before 6am, on Sunday, November 28, the police, coastguard, air and sea rescue, and the Essex police marine unit were called, to Parkeston Quay, after reports of three people alongside the Stena Britannica.

Two men were found in the water in wetsuits on the Felixstowe side and brought to shore by the Harwich lifeboat crew, at about 7.30am.

They were arrested and taken to Colchester Hospital by ambulance for suspected hypothermia.

Three more men were arrested later in a nearby car.