Border Force officers have seized 63 kilos of cocaine at the Port of Dover.

Once cut and sold on the streets, the drugs would have a potential value running into millions of pounds.

The drugs were discovered on Monday when officers stopped and searched a Swiss lorry and its load of plastics. The cocaine was found in a number of bags in the vehicle's cab.

Two 53-year-old Italian men, lorry driver Santo Virgadaula and passenger Giambattista Rovillo appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court yesterday, charged with importation.

They both withheld their pleas and were remanded in custody. They will appear at Canterbury Crown Court on February 3.

Paul Morgan, director of Border Force south east and Europe said: “This was a significant seizure of an extremely harmful drug and demonstrates how Border Force officers at Dover are at the forefront of the fight to keep illegal drugs and other banned substances out of the UK.

“We will continue to work hard to keep our borders safe and crack down on drug smuggling.”

The case has been passed to the National Crime Agency for further investigation.

Anyone with information about activity suspected to be linked with smuggling should call the smuggling Hotline on 0800 59 5000.