Border Force seize cocaine at Eastern Docks

Border Force officers at the inward tourist controls at Dover's Eastern Docks have seized approximately 11 kilos of cocaine.

The drugs were discovered on Wednesday morning (18 March 2015) when officers stopped a German-registered van. Officers searched the vehicle using a detector dog and the drugs were discovered within the bodywork of the van.

The 57 year-old Dutch driver, Rene Roelofs, was arrested and the investigation passed to the National Crime Agency.

He was later charged with the attempted importation and appeared before Folkestone Magistrates Court yesterday (19 March) where he pleaded not guilty. Roelofs was remanded in custody and will next appear at Canterbury Crown Court on 7 April.

Paul Morgan, Director of Border Force South East and Europe said: "Border Force officers like those who made this seizure play a crucial role in protecting the UK from illegal drugs and other contraband.

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

Border Force officers use hi-tech search equipment to combat immigration crime and detect banned and restricted goods that smugglers attempt to bring into the country.

They use an array of search techniques including sniffer dogs, carbon dioxide detectors, heartbeat monitors and scanners - as well as visual searches - to find well-hidden stowaways, illegal drugs, firearms and tobacco which would otherwise end up causing harm to local people, businesses and communities.

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call the smuggling Hotline on 0800 59 5000.