£6.3 Million Drugs Haul In Coffee Machines

A haul of 700 kilos of 'speed' (amphetamines) and over 120 kilos of cannabis, destined for Northampton, have been seized and stopped from reaching UK streets following robust action by officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) at Dover's Eastern docks.

Polish national Gracjan Marcin Zientara from Pila, Poland, was arrested when he arrived at the freight lanes at the Eastern Docks at Dover on Tuesday, 4 November 2008.

Examination of the Polish registered vehicle revealed a consignment of coffee machines. On searching the load officers discovered 34 boxes containing amphetamine sulphate and cannabis resin.

The case was passed to investigation officers of HM Revenue & Customs to continue enquiries and Zientara was subsequently charged with drug smuggling offences under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.

Malcolm Bragg, Assistant Director for HM Revenue & Customs, said: "The success of this latest operation highlights our proactive role in reducing drugs being brought into the UK. Our priority, in partnership with the UKBA, is to wipe out illegal drugs and their availability on city streets. We hope our efforts will reduce the devastating impact drugs have on individuals as well as the wider effect on local communities. We will continue to take stringent action and bring individuals before the courts. Anyone with information relating to smuggled goods are encouraged to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000 or email customs.hotline@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk".

Zientara has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Dover Magistrates Court in December 2008.