A man from Bulgaria has been jailed for six years at Canterbury Crown Court after attempting to smuggle three kilos of heroin into the UK.

On August 17, 2013, Border Force officers stopped a Bularian-registered Audi A6 at Dover’s Eastern Docks.

After questioning Hristo Petrov, officers searched the vehicle and found five brown taped packages in the battery compartment. A field test on the contents of the packets re-acted positively to heroin.

The drugs had an estimated street value of £540,000.

Petrov, 42, was arrested and the investigation passed to the National Crime Agency.

He pleaded guilty at a hearing at Canterbury Crown court on December 2, 2013 and was sentenced to six years imprisonment yesterday, Thursday, March 20.

Director of Border Force South East and Europe, Paul Morgan, said:
“Drug trafficking is a serious offence and those convicted will face prison sentences. Our message to those who would consider it is that it’s just not worth it.

“Border Force officers will continue to work diligently to keep our border secure and to make life as tough as possible for those who seek to profit from this evil trade.”

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