A drug smuggler has been jailed for 10 years after £1.4 million worth of cocaine was found in a specially constructed fuel tank.

A sharp-eyed Border Force official spotted unusual bolts keeping the minibus tank in place.

It was removed and officers discovered it contained specially constructed compartments where 14 kilos of cocaine, in 14 taped packages, were stashed.

The discovery had been made when Henri Kampans was stopped driving a minibus into Dover Eastern Docks on September 4, 2016.

He was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court last Thursday Oct 11 after a four-day trial.

The Judge, Recorder Stuart Trimmer QC, said the operation was “sophisticated” and the tank was “a remarkable piece of work”.

He praised the officials for stopping the vehicle and told Kampans the drugs would have brought untold misery to many people in the UK if he had been successful.

Kampans, 39, of the region of Iecava in Latvia, denied the drug smuggling charge.

He remained stony-faced as he learned of his jail sentence from an interpreter.

The jury had returned a guilty verdict after seven hours of deliberation.

The National Crime Agency had probed the case.

During an interview with investigators Kampans denied knowing the drugs were in the fuel tank.

He said he was approached by the owner of the van who asked him if he could drive it from Iecava to London to deliver some post.

Deborah Cook, NCA Dover branch investigations manager, said after sentencing: “What we have seen with cocaine is that it is a drug which fuels gang crime, exploitation and violence on the streets of the UK.

"While they may be low down in the criminal hierarchy, smugglers like Kampans play a crucial role in that chain of organised crime.

“This is another example of how joint working with our Border Force colleagues has prevented a significant amount of Class A drugs reaching the UK.”

Paul Morgan, director of Border Force South East and Europe, said: “This was a very sophisticated concealment and another excellent example of Border Force officers using their highly developed detection skills to prevent a substantial quantity of drugs from ending up on the streets of the UK..

“Working with our colleagues at the National Crime Agency we are determined to do all we can to stop drug traffickers and ensure that those who involve themselves in this activity face the full consequences of their crimes.”