LONDON: The attempt to smuggle the Class A drug into the UK was thwarted when officials ransacked the Bulgarian freight lorry, which had come to Dover via the Netherlands on a ferry earlier this month.
The investigation has been handed over to the National Crime Agency after 17 kilograms of the drug were found under the large shipment of the popular cola brand.
Officials say the hefty haul would have fetched around £680,000 once cut and sold on the streets.
Speaking on the find, Paul Morgan, director of Border Force South East and Europe, said: “This is a significant seizure which has prevented a large quantity of dangerous substances reaching the UK’s streets.
“As this case shows, our officers are on constant alert to stop drugs, weapons and other banned goods entering the country.
“We work in partnership with the National Crime Agency (NCA) to disrupt traffickers and prevent illegal drugs causing harm to communities.”
The driver behind the wheel of the lorry, a 40-year-old man with dual Macedonian/Bulgarian citizenship, was taken into police custody before being released on bail pending further enquiries.
