A lorry driver from Bulgaria has been jailed for almost two years after smuggling tobacco into the UK in a consignment of peanuts.

Georgi Ilchev, 26, was arrested by border officials at Dover Eastern Docks on Wednesday, August 2, after it was found he had tried to evade £220,000 in taxes.

He was carrying import documents which told officials he was only carrying 24 pallets loaded with boxes of sesame and caramel-coated peanuts.

However a further inspection of Ilchev's vehicle found he had 57 boxes of Turner hand-rolling tobacco.

The tobacco, which is due to be destroyed, weighed in at more than a tonne.

Assistant Director of the Fraud Investigation Service at HMRC, Tim Clarke, said: "Ilchev thought he could avoid detection by hiding the smuggled tobacco within a legitimate cargo of peanuts, but his crime was discovered and he’s now paying the price in prison.

"Had the smuggled tobacco made it to the UK’s streets it would have harmed honest retailers.

"HMRC continues to work with Border Force to reduce the availability of illicit tobacco, which costs the UK around £2.4 billion a year.

"We encourage anyone with information regarding the smuggling, storage or sale of illegal tobacco to contact our Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887."

Ilchev pleaded guilty to evading excise duty at Maidstone Crown Court. He was jailed for 22 months.