Lorry Driver Jailed For Cocaine Smuggling

A 35 year old Lithuanian lorry driver has been jailed for nine years after being convicted of smuggling cocaine into the UK through Dover. The drugs had an estimated street value of £476,000.

Investigators from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) interviewed Dainius Mocka after UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers detected the drugs in his lorry on 2 June 2009.

He was stopped after he arrived at Dover on a ferry from Calais. Following the discovery of the drugs in the cab of his lorry, he was arrested and subsequently charged. When questioned, Mocka stated he was transporting a load of wellington boots from Lithuania to Leicester.

Mocka pleaded guilty on 3 August 2009 at Canterbury Crown Court to smuggling 11.9 kilos of cocaine into the UK.

Malcolm Bragg, Assistant Director, HMRC Criminal Investigations said:

"We are determined to bring anyone involved in drug smuggling to justice. Drugs devastate lives and communities and we are determined to prevent drugs reaching UK streets.

"Anyone with information relating to smuggled goods or other illegal activities should contact HMRC's 24 hour hotline on 0800 59 5000."