Hidden inside a box of souvenirs, this is just some of the massive stash of heroin with a street value of £3.6million discovered at a Dartford house.

The haul was found at the town centre property by officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) investigating an international drug trafficking gang.

It came just hours after UK Border Agency staff at Heathrow Airport made what is thought to be their biggest ever seizure of heroin in a consignment from South Africa.

They intercepted about 165 kilos of the drug, with an estimated street value of £8million, in boxes seemingly containing souvenirs on Wednesday, September 9.

The trail led to Dartford the same day when a team from SOCA uncovered another 80 kilos of heroin, with a street value of £3.6million, in similar packaging.

As part of the international investigation, police in South Africa have since arrested five people in the country – including three Britons, all from the south east.

Those arrests came about after a haul of 6,500 kilos of herbal cannabis and cannabis resin was discovered.

The drugs uncovered so far in the investigation have a joint value of about £25million.

* Nicholas Fullbrook, 35, from Leigh, near Tonbridge, was remanded in custody by Maidstone magistrates on Saturday, September 12, charged with conspiracy to import controlled drugs and possession with intent to supply.

A second man from the south east has been released on bail pending further enquiries.