SEIZURES of the killer drug crack on Britain's streets in 1994 increased by a staggering 345pc compared to the previous year, figures reveal.

And the amount of cocaine discovered rose by an alarming 190pc.

The seizures illustrate that the quantity and value of drugs being shipped into the UK is rising all the time - and the organisations bringing them in are becoming increasingly violent.

With seizures estimated to represent less than 10pc of the drugs being smuggled, the quantities point to a rapidly growing market of hard-drug abusers in Britain.

The streets of Britain are awash with drugs, and underworld figures - the majority known to police - are amassing fortunes.

South America continues to be the global source for cocaine and last year Columbia's drug cartels shipped more to Europe than ever before.

Venezuela and Columbia, between them, were responsible for 84pc of all seizures of cocaine in the process of being imported to Britain.

Important transit routes for cocaine were via the USA, Belgium, Nigeria, Jamaica and Barbados.

Seventy per cent of the imported cocaine seized was found in freight and cargo. Ninety-six separate hauls of cocaine were discovered being posted into the UK, there were 79 seizures of cocaine concealed in luggage and 78 people were arrested trying to conceal cocaine "on their person".

A total of 154 Britons were arrested for trafficking in cocaine. Other significant nationalities were 27 Nigerians, 24 Colombians and 14 Jamaicans.

The National Criminal Intelligence Service admits that although cocaine is still perceived as a fashion drug among the more wealthy, the advent of crack - freebase cocaine - has widened its appeal in inner city areas.

Crack seizures increased significantly last year by 345pc on the figures for 1993.

The "Golden Crescent" countries of south west Asia remain the main source of heroin consumed in Britain. These consignments arrive mainly via Turkey and the Balkans.

The hauls of heroin are relatively large and are concealed deep within vehicles, for example in sub frames and body panelling.

More frequent but much smaller seizures arrive direct in flights from Pakistan. Supplies of heroin from West Africa remain constant, although below the levels seen in the late 1980s.

Cannabis, however, remains the most popular illicit drug in the UK, with about three million people using it.

Pakistan was the main source last year, although when seizures in Spain and Portugal are considered, it is almost certain that Morocco remains the main source of resin.

British couriers predominated with 82pc of the 1,190 arrested for importing the drug.

The last two years has seen an increase in Illicitly-manufactured amphetamine sulphate powder imported into Britain. About 60pc of the drug originates in the Netherlands, with France and Belgium also significant sources.

Forty two per cent of the amphetamine sulphate powder is imported in freight and up to 20pc on ferries bound for Dover.

Three-quarters of all imports of Ecstasy comes from the Netherlands.

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