£5.3 Million Of Heroin Seized At Port

For the second time this week, significant quantities of Class A drugs have been seized at Dover Ferry Port.

A man from North Wales is due to appear in court today after officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) seized approximately 120 kilos of heroin worth about £5,400,000 and about six kilos of amphetamine sulphate worth about £60,000 at Dover's Eastern Docks.

Early yesterday morning, Thursday 17 July, a lorry was stopped in the freight controls after it had disembarked a ferry. During a search of the vehicle which was carrying a load of mixed general cargo, UKBA officers discovered a large number of brown-taped packages hidden within the structure of the trailer. The contents of some 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, David Lewis, 47, of 54 Nant Mawr Crecent, Buckley, North Wales, was interviewed and subsequently charged with attempting to smuggle drugs into the UK. He is due to appear before Folkestone Magistrates this morning, Friday 17 July.

HMRC enquiries are continuing.

Bob Gaiger, HM Revenue & Customs Dover spokesman said:

"This was another excellent detection by UK Border Agency officers which led to the seizure of a very significant amount of drugs. 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."