A man who tried smuggle two suitcases containing more than £800,000 out of the UK has been jailed for money laundering.

Haulage company boss Andrzej Miziuk, 49, was intercepted at the Port of Dover by Border Force officers as he was leaving the country on February 10.

The money was hidden among second hand clothes in a lorry heading for the continent at the Eastern Docks.

A sniffer dog found the £862,560 hidden in two suitcases.

When questioned, he initially claimed to have no knowledge of the cash, despite the fact his fingerprints were found on two bundles of notes.

He later admitted he was due to be paid £2,000 for smuggling it.

Canterbury Crown Court was told that investigations indicated it was profit from counterfeit tobacco brought into Britain and avoiding tax.

Miziuk, 49, of Gdańsk, Poland, admitted money laundering yesterday and was sentenced to three years and four months.

The cash was forfeited to the Crown at Canterbury Magistrates Court on April 27 and Miziuk’s lorry and trailer were also seized.

After sentencing Chris Gill, assistant director, fraud investigation service, HMRC, said:“Miziuk was wrong to think he could get away with breaking the law by smuggling cash and is now paying the price with a jail sentence. "

Paul Morgan, director of Border Force South East & Europe said:“Border Force is determined that people should not profit from criminal activity and, working closely with other law enforcement partners.

"We will ensure individuals are brought before the courts and the proceeds of crime recovered.”

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs wants anyone with information regarding money laundering to report it to the organisation online, or contact its Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887.