A mechanic has been jailed for six years after admitting trying to smuggle £100,000 heroin through the Channel Tunnel.

Vince Richard Hubbard, of Haig Avenue, Chatham, was arrested by UK Border Agency officers in Coquelles, France, in January.

The 47-year-old claimed he had only been on a day trip to Belgium to buy tobacco. But officers searched the Toyota Rav 4 he was driving and found two-and-a-half kilos of the drug in four brown-taped packages in the roof lining of the car.

Hubbard had previously pleaded guilty to being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition of controlled drugs at Canterbury Crown Court and was sentenced on Friday.

Malcolm Bragg, assistant director of criminal and financial investigations for the UK Border Agency, said: “We are determined to prevent this terrible trade, which can have such a destructive impact on the lives of so many.

“Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drug smuggling should call our hotline on 0800 59 5000.”