A MAN from Darlington was due to appear in court today after officers from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) seized 18 kilos of cocaine at Dover’s Docks.
The drugs have an estimated street value of £750,000.
On Saturday a Jaguar car was stopped after it arrived on a ferry from Calais.
During a search of the vehicle, UKBA officers discovered a number of packages hidden in the fuel tank of the vehicle.
The contents of the packages tested positive for cocaine.
Following the detection, the case was passed to HM Revenue and Customs investigation officers to continue enquiries.
The driver of the vehicle, Paul Stephens, 30, from Appleby Close, Darlington, was arrested on suspicion of smuggling approximately 18 kilos of cocaine into the UK.
Mr Stephens was interviewed and subsequently charged with being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion or attempted evasion of the prohibition on importation imposed by section 3(1) of the Misuse of Drug Act 1971.
He was remanded in custody and was expected to appear at Folkestone Magistrates today.
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