Two lorry drivers have been jailed for money laundering after they were caught attempting to leave the UK with £143,000 cash.

Pawel Puzio, 38, and Lukasz Opalinski, 34, both from Poland, were stopped by Border Force officers at the Port of Dover in the early hours of May 16.

They were transporting car parts, but during a search of the lorry officers found £143,000 in banknotes in heat-sealed packages in the bulkhead of the trailer.

Both men were arrested, and the matter was referred to HMRC for investigation.

Puzio said they had received the money from Poland the day before, which he believed to be payment for food and that he was waiting to receive a phone call once he was back in Poland advising him where to deliver it to.

He said he was not aware of the amount and did not think he was doing anything illegal.

Steve Bowling, assistant director of HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service, said: “Puzio and Opalinski’s attempt to smuggle this money out of the UK was wrong and it is right that they are punished.

“This is another example of HMRC’s determination to track down and deal with fraudsters who launder money needed to fund our public services. I urge anyone with information about people who may be involved in money laundering to report it to us online or call our hotline on 0800 788 887.”

HMRC seized the cash and today the court imposed a forfeiture order.

Puzio and Opalinski admitted money laundering.

Today, at Canterbury Crown Court, Puzio was jailed for 21 months and Opalinski was jailed for two years.