Two jet skiers stranded off the Suffolk coast sparked a late night rescue and were then arrested on suspicion of importing controlled drugs.

The Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat and HM Coastguard helicopter from Humberside responded to help two jet ski riders who were in trouble 24 miles offshore on Wednesday.

The pair were on one jet ski.

After being rescued and taken to hospital, they were later arrested.

A Suffolk police spokesman said: “Police were contacted by Border Force on Wednesday, September 30 at 9.17pm who had been contacted by HM Coastguard after receiving a mayday call from a boat off the Suffolk coast, reporting two men on a jet ski in trouble with a man overboard.

“The two men were winched to safety and reported no injuries.

“The men were transported to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston by the HM Coastguard helicopter as a precaution. Both men were searched by police and two packages recovered.

“The two men, aged in their 30s, were arrested and transported to Great Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre, where they will be questioned today on suspicion of importing controlled drugs.”

Lowestoft lifeboat, ‘Patsy Knight,’ was called out at 7.06pm on Wednesday, September 30 – in big seas and high winds – to help the pair who were in trouble 24 miles south east of Lowestoft.

With an HM Coastguard helicopter also responding, Lowestoft lifeboat Second Coxswain Karl Jackson said: “A 53 metre survey boat ‘Fugro Pioneer’ was at anchor near the East Anglia One wind farm site when the jet ski came alongside and the riders asked for some fuel as they were running short.

“As one of the pair was injured, the ship’s crew managed to get both on board their vessel and called the UK Coastguard for assistance.

“Responding to the call, our volunteer lifeboat crew strapped themselves into their seats for a rough ride and it took us an hour to reach the scene with three metre seas and 25-30 knot winds.

“The Coastguard helicopter from Humberside arrived just before us and hovered over the survey boat.

“A medic was lowered to assess the skiers and then all were winched into the helicopter, which then took them to James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston.”