Smugglers tried to get 80 kilos of cocaine with a street value of about £7.2 million into the UK hidden in a lorry load of toys.

The haul of narcotics was uncovered when a truck tried to enter the UK via Dover port.

Polish national Marek Wisniewski, of no fixed UK address, was charged with the attempted importation of a Class A drug.

Border Force stopped the attempt to smuggle coke into the UK on May 29 when officers stopped a Polish registered lorry at Dover’s Eastern Docks and the seizure was made.

When Border Force officers searched the vehicle they found an estimated 80 kilos of cocaine.

The drugs had a potential street value of about £7.2 million and the investigation was referred to the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Wisniewski appeared at Margate Magistrates' Court last Friday, where he was remanded in custody to appear at Canterbury Crown Court on June 29.

Chris Philp, minister for immigration and the courts, said: “This is a substantial seizure that has prevented organised criminals from getting their lethal cargo on to the UK’s streets.

"Working with our partners at the NCA we will continue to do all we can to arrest and prosecute those involved in drug smuggling."

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