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Drugs seized at the Channel Tunnel

A 42-year-old Dutch man has been charged with drug smuggling after Border Force officers at the Channel Tunnel entrance in Coquelles, France seized drugs with an estimated street value in excess of £5 million.

Exact quantities are still being assessed but the haul included heroin, amphetamine and cannabis.

The drugs were discovered on Saturday when officers stopped and searched a Dutch-registered lorry. The drugs were found in brown cardboard boxes within the vehicle’s load of empty plastic containers.

Hendrik DEKKER, from Nijkerk, Netherlands, appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court yesterday, charged with the importation.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.

Paul Morgan, Director of Border Force South East and Europe said:

“This was an excellent seizure by our officers and it has kept a large amount of harmful drugs off our streets.

“We will continue to work hard to keep our borders safe and crack down on drug smuggling.”