Two alleged drug smugglers have denied bringing £4 million worth of cocaine into the UK by light aircraft.

John Buwalda, 52, and Jan Polak, 61, were caught with 22kg of cocaine after police spotted an aircraft landing at Rochester Airport, next to the Holiday Inn hotel, it is claimed.

Buwalda, a Dutch national believed to have been the pilot, was allegedly seen leaving the aircraft on June 30 and walking into the hotel carrying two large bags.

He had allegedly flown over from Holland that day.

Shortly afterwards Polak, a Polish national, is said to have left the same hotel in Maidstone Road carrying the same two bags.

Police stopped him and searched the bags, which allegedly contained a drugs haul with an estimated street value of approximately £4 million.

Polak, of Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, and Buwalda, of Hilversum in the Netherlands, are both charged with one count of importing class A drugs.

They appeared via video link from HMP High Down at the Old Bailey today for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Balding Polak, wearing a striped shirt and aided by a Polish interpreter, and bespectacled Buwalda, wearing a grey polo shirt, sat side by side during the hearing.

They spoke to confirm their names and to enter pleas of not guilty when the charge was put to them.

Judge Paul Worsley QC remanded Polak and Buwalda in custody.

The pair will stand trial on December 7.

They both deny one count of conspiracy to fraudulently evade the prohibition of the importation of a controlled drug of class A.