Heroin, cocaine and ecstasy worth a street value in excess of £728,000 has been seized at Dover.

Border Force officers at the inward freight controls at Dover’s Eastern Docks found approximately seven and half kilos each of heroin and cocaine, and five kilos of ecstasy with a likely potential street value in excess of £728,000.

The drugs were found in the cab of a vehicle on Sunday, May 17, when officers stopped and searched an Italian-registered lorry and its load of mixed goods.

During the search of the cab an estimated £10,000 comprised of Sterling and Euros was also found.

The 47 year-old Italian driver, Charles Opoku Afriyie, was arrested and the investigation passed to the National Crime Agency.

He was later charged with the attempted importation and appeared before Folkestone Magistrates Court on Monday, May 18, where he withheld his plea.

Afriyie was remanded in custody and will next appear at Canterbury Crown Court on June 8.

Paul Morgan, director of Border Force South East and Europe said: “Seizures like this demonstrate how Border Force officers are at the forefront of the fight to keep illegal drugs and other banned substances out of the UK.

“Working with law enforcement colleagues like the NCA we are determined to do all we can to prevent drug trafficking and put those responsible behind bars.”

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