More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A man has been charged after being caught trying to smuggle drugs into Kent hidden between pizza boxes.
Adam Grzelj, from Ljubljana in Slovenia, was stopped at the Port of Dover driving a lorry which contained pallets of pizzas from Italy.
Inspecting the lorry, officers discovered an estimated 82 kilos of cocaine and 3 kilos of heroin hidden amidst the frozen dough-based food.
The drugs, which were wrapped in individual blocks, had a potential street value in excess of £6.5 million.
Grzelj, 50, was charged with two counts of attempted Class A drug importation following his arrest on Sunday.
He appeared at Medway Magistrates Court on Monday and was remanded in custody.
He will appear at Crown Court on a date yet to be confirmed.
Dave Smith, Border Force regional director, said: “This seizure has taken millions of pounds worth of cocaine and heroin out of the hands of organised criminals and off our streets.
“Drugs are currency for organised gangs and are intrinsically linked to crime, violence and exploitation which is why we are determined to catch anyone importing them.
“Border Force will continue to work with the Natioinal Crim Agency to bring anyone involved in this type of criminality before the courts.”
Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or go the government website here.
