Customs officers at Dover’s Eastern Docks seized approximately 20 kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of £800,000 over Easter.

The officers stopped a Nissan Pathfinder car as it disembarked from a ferry on Good Friday morning.

A search of the vehicle revealed the drugs hidden in cans of fruit in shopping bags stowed between the seats.

Edmund Anderson, 47, and Paulette Chambers, 48, both of Bearwood Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, and Ambrozine Heron, 76, of Ravenoak Way, Chigwell, Essex, were arrested and charged with smuggling drugs into the UK.

The three appeared at Dover Magistrates Court and have been remanded in custody until Thursday.

Bob Gaiger, HM Revenue & Customs spokesman in the South said: "Customs vigilance has prevented this cocaine from reaching its destination. We will continue to work to the Government’s aim of reducing the availability of Class A drugs. Customs provide round the clock cover at Dover and the port should not be seen as a soft touch during public holidays."