DOVER: More than a tonne of cocaine worth £56 million has been seized off the coast of the UK. Border Force officers found the stash on a yacht and arrested two men at Dover.
The two men, Hendrik Brugmans and Raymond Aalder, were arrested and the investigation passed to the National Crime Agency.
Brugmans, 68, who gave an address on the Caribbean island of Curacao and Aalders, 46, of Kesteren, Netherlands, appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with drug trafficking offences.
Brugmans withheld his plea while Aalders denied the charge. They were remanded in custody and will next appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, September 25.
Sue Young, Border Force regional director, said: “Excellent work by the crew of the Vigilant and officers from our specialist deep rummage team has prevented a huge amount of cocaine from reaching the streets.
“Our fleet of cutters plays a key role in protecting the UK by intercepting and deterring shipments of drugs and other prohibited goods, as well as vessels operated by criminal gangs who attempt to traffic people into the country.
“Working with the NCA we are determined to do all we can to prevent drug smuggling and put those responsible behind bars.”
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