A trucker has been charged with drug smuggling after cocaine worth £3.2 million was found in a lorry heading to the UK.

Vladimir Mrdak, a Serbian, was arrested on Monday after 40kg of the Class A drug was found in the trailer of an HGV carrying a load of bottle tops and paper rolls.

The National Crime Agency began an investigation after Border Force officers at the Channel Tunnel terminal in Coquelles, France, found the cocaine in taped packages placed in boxes on top of the goods.

After being questioned, Mrdak, 37, who lives in Serbia, was charged with attempting to import cocaine.

Following an appearance at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Tuesday) he was remanded in custody until his next appearance at Canterbury Crown Court on August 16.

NCA branch commander Martin Grace said: “This haul of cocaine would have fuelled violence and intimidation had it reached the UK.

“The seizure is a big setback for the criminal network likely to be behind this attempted importation – profits which they will not be able to invest in other criminality.

“Working alongside our law enforcement partners like Border Force, we are determined to disrupt the organised crime groups involved in drug supply and protect the public.”

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