Seven people have appeared in court today charged in connection with one of the largest seizures of guns and ammunition ever made in the UK.

Officers seized 22 automatic assault rifles and nine 9 Skorpion machine pistols in an operation in Medway on Tuesday. They also found 1,000 live rounds of ammunition.

Eight people – seven men and a woman all aged between 24 and 58 – were detained by the National Crime Agency's armed operations unit and Kent Police officers.

Three men and a woman were arrested near the A228 in Cuxton, while three men were detained at a location in Orpington and one at an address in Swanley.

The man arrested at Swanley has been released on bail while the others have been charged with importing and possessing firearms.

The guns were allegedly seized in holdalls and a suitcase, which also contained numerous magazines and ammunition, from a van as it left a site near Cuxton Marina.

It followed the arrival of the MV Albernina, a motor cruiser, which had travelled to the UK from France.

Deputy Director Graham Gardner from the NCA said: "This was an extremely significant seizure, the largest of its kind in the UK. I’ve no doubt that these weapons would have ended up in criminal hands and it goes without saying the risk they would have posed to the public.

"We are still in the early stages of a significant investigation which will continue for some time. Through the excellent work and action taken alongside Kent Police we have made a huge step in protecting the public in Kent and further afield.”

The seven appeared via video link at Medway Magistrates Court, where the case was adjourned until Friday September 4 at Maidstone Crown Court.

They are David Payne, 42, Jennifer Arthy, 41 and John Smale, 58, of Rochester Road, Halling; Christopher Owen 30, of Bush Road, Cuxton; Harry Shilling, 22, of Hart Road, Swanley; Michael Defraine, 29, of Franklin Road, Bexleyheath and Richard Rye, 24, of Lime Road, Swanley.

All were remanded in custody.

A 28-year-old man from Swanley has been released on bail pending further enquiries until 24 September.