A man appeared in court yesterday (Tuesday) after around 43 kilos of heroin were seized by UK Border Agency (UKBA) at Dover’s Eastern Docks.

Thomas Burgess, 49 of Stockport, Cheshire, was charged with smuggling drugs into the UK by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) after around £2 million of the drug was found in the vehicle he was driving.

The red Land Rover Freelander he was in was stopped after it had arrived on a ferry from Dunkirk.

During a search of the vehicle, UKBA officers discovered 43 taped packages hidden under a quilt in the rear footwells of the vehicle. The contents of one of the packages tested positive for heroin.

Bob Gaiger, HM Revenue & Customs spokesman in the South East said: “This was an excellent detection by UK Border Agency officers which led to the seizure of a large amount of heroin.

“HMRC together with UKBA play a vital role in the fight to prevent illegal drugs from entering the UK and in protecting our communities from the violence and corruption that always accompany this hideous trade.”

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drugs smuggling should call the Customs Hotline on 0800 595 000.