£2 Million Heroin Seized At Eastern Docks - Man Charged

A man from Stockport was due to appear in court yesterday morning (Tuesday, 28 October) after officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) seized approximately 43 kilos of heroin worth about £2 million at Dover's Eastern Docks.

Late Sunday evening, 26 October, a red Land Rover Freelander car was stopped after it had arrived on a ferry from Dunkirk. During a search of the vehicle, UKBA officers discovered 43 taped packages hidden under a quilt in the rear footwells of the vehicle. The contents of one of the packages tested positive for heroin.

Following the detection, the case was passed to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) investigation officers to continue enquiries. The driver of the vehicle, Thomas Burgess, 49, from Stockport, Cheshire, was interviewed and subsequently charged with attempting to smuggle drugs into the UK. He was remanded in custody and was due to appear before Folkestone Magistrates yesterday.

HMRC enquiries are continuing.

Bob Gaiger, HM Revenue & Customs spokesman in the South East said: "This was an excellent detection by UK Border Agency officers which led to the seizure of a large amount of heroin. HMRC together with UKBA play a vital role in the fight to prevent illegal drugs from entering the UK and in protecting our communities from the violence and corruption that always accompany this hideous trade. Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drugs smuggling should call our 24 hour Customs Hotline - 0800 59 5000."