Man Jailed For Smuggling Heroin Through Port Of Dover

A man was sentenced to seven years in prison at Canterbury Crown Court on 3 May, after pleading guilty to smuggling heroin through the Port of Dover.

The court heard that the man was arrested on 27 February 2011 at the tourist controls at Dover when UK Border Agency officers searched the British registered VW Sharan he was driving.

When officers had stopped and questioned him, he said he was returning from a three week visit to family in Kosovo. During the search officers found 20 packages of heroin hidden in the fuel tank.

When removed from the tank the total weight of the drugs was approximately 10 kilos with an estimated street value of £750,000.

The man pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court on the 3 May 2011 and was sentenced on the same day.

Malcolm Bragg, the UK Border Agency's Criminal and Financial Assistant Director said: "This is a strong warning to anyone who believes drug smuggling is acceptable. Clearly, the view of the courts is that it is a very serious matter and UK Border Agency officers will remain vigilant at all our ports and airports to prevent drugs reaching our streets.

"Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drug smuggling should call our hotline on 0800 59 5000."