Border Force seize cocaine at Dover Docks

Border Force officers are investigating after approximately 25 kilos of cocaine was seized at Dover's Eastern Docks.

The drugs, with an estimated street value of £2.5 million, were discovered on Saturday, 20 October when officers stopped a Dutch-registered lorry after it had arrived in Dover on a ferry from Dunkirk.

After questioning the driver, who produced paperwork for cheese and fruit juice samples, the lorry and its trailer was searched and officers found the drugs hidden in a pallet of fruit juice.

A 61-year-old man, Aalbert Van Gemerden from Delft in the Netherlands, appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court on Monday (22 October 2012) charged with the attempted importation. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody. He will re-appear at Folkestone Magistrates Court on 29 October 2012.

Paul Morgan, Director Border Force South East & Europe, said: "Border Force officers work to keep the UK's border secure and to make life as tough as possible for those who seek to profit from this evil trade in illegal drugs.

"There is no doubt that this cocaine would have ended up on the streets of the UK, causing significant damage to local communities and people, if Border Force officers had not intercepted it."

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