More than £11m worth of cannabis resin has been seized from a Bulgarian lorry at the Port of Dover.

Border Force officers found the cannabis resin in a lorry carrying pallets of flat backed wooden crates.

When it was searched at Dover Eastern Docks 143 packages, each weighing approximately 30kg, were found in specially hollowed-out sections within each pallet.

Tests identified the packages as cannabis, with a total weight of 4.3 tonnes and an estimated street value of £11.3 million.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) is investigating the smuggling attempt.

Cameron Bryson, acting deputy director Border Force South East and Europe, said: “Border Force officers are at the forefront of the fight to keep illegal drugs out of the country and we continue to work with law enforcement partners to tackle these crimes.”

Border Force officers arrested a 42-year-old Bulgarian man who remains under investigation.

And last Friday the National Crime Agency arrested a 50-year-old Briton at an address in Hythe.

He was released on bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call the Border Force hotline on 0800 59 5000.