A lorry driver caught smuggling £3m worth of drugs into Kent claimed he thought the packages were bibles.

But a jury took minutes before deciding he had broken the NINTH commandment...bearing false witness.

Ramparsad Kallee, 39, from Belgium was caught with 60 packages stashed in his Mercedes at the UK border at Coquelles in October last year.

Canterbury Crown Court heard he claimed he was travelling to Feltham in London to bring bibles to relatives.

But a search of his vehicle revealed a hidden compartment in the boot area where officers found 60 tape-wrapped packages containing heroin.

The drugs, if cut and sold in the UK, would have had a potential street value of around £3.2million, the court heard.

Kallee denied any knowledge of the illicit cargo, but was found guilty of importing the drugs and given 17 years in prison.

NCA Branch Commander Matt Rivers said: "The evidence we were able to put before the court was so overwhelming it took the jury just minutes to find Kallee guilty.

“Organised crime groups rely on couriers like Kallee to bring their drugs into the UK.

“His role was a vital one, and had these drugs got through they would have got into the hands of gangs involved in further violence and exploitation.”

Paul Morgan, Director of Border Force South East and Europe, added: "This was a vehicle which had been specially adapted for the sole purpose of smuggling and represents an excellent detection by Border Force officers.

“In making the seizure Border Force have kept a substantial quantity of dangerous drugs off the streets of the UK where they would have caused significant harm to individuals and communities.

“Working with law enforcement partners like the NCA we are determined to prevent drug trafficking and to bring those responsible to justice.”