Man arrested over Dover cocaine seizure

A German man has been arrested by Border Force officers at Dover's Eastern Docks on suspicion of smuggling class A drugs.

Charles Ukachukwu Imoh, 57, of Essen, Germany was stopped after he arrived by coach from Frankfurt, Germany in the early hours of Saturday (4 October 2014).

Following searches Border Force officers recovered around 80 small packages containing cocaine weighing approximately one kilo with an estimated value of between £81,000 and £200,000.

Tests will now be carried out to establish the purity and final value of the drugs.

Imoh was questioned by investigators from the National Crime Agency's Border Policing Command and charged with attempting to import class A drugs.

He appeared before Folkestone Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday 7 October) where he withheld his plea and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on 27 October 2014.

Paul Morgan, Director of Border Force South East and Europe said: "Border Force officers use a variety of methods and technology to prevent class A drugs entering the UK, and their expertise is regularly demonstrated by seizures like this.

"Working with law enforcement colleagues including the NCA we are determined to do all we can to prevent drug trafficking and put those responsible behind bars."