Smuggler Jailed After £1M Drugs Haul Found On Lorry

A lorry driver has been jailed for eight years after admitting an attempt to smuggle drugs worth more than £1 million through the port of Dover.

Ralph Cross admitted attempting to bring into the UK an estimated 100 kilos of amphetamine powder, 50 Ecstasy tablets, and 200 grams of methamphetamine powder into the UK with a combined estimated street value of £1,011,650.

UK Border Agency officers had stopped Cross at the freight controls in Dover on 3 June 2010. After questioning him they used a detector dog to search the lorry and its load. The dog reacted positively to three holdalls in the cab and the drugs were found inside.

Cross was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday (11 October).

Malcolm Bragg, Assistant Director of Criminal and Financial Investigations for the UK Border Agency, said: "This is a strong warning to anyone who believes that 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 our ports and airports.

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