A BRITON was arrested when police smashed a major cocaine-smuggling ring in Peru.

Anthony Cooper and Irishman Leonardo Richards, 40, were caught with two suitcases packed with 55kg of the drug, destined for the UK.

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They were driving a hire car when police swooped — with Richards’ legs buckling beneath him as he fainted.

Police had them under surveillance since they arrived in Peru separately on July 21 — greeting each other with a hug at Lima airport.

They rented an apartment and hired a Nissan to collect the cocaine.

Footage also captured the group walking through well-known shopping centres in Lima and talking to finalise the details of the smuggle.

The pair were said to have been supplied by Bulgarian bodybuilder Petko Vasilev Mikov, a known drug trafficker.

All three men are being held on remand.

They face five years in jail if convicted.