Lorry driver jailed for smuggling £1 million worth of cocaine into Dover
17:57, 14 May 2021
updated: 18:32, 14 May 2021
A lorry driver has been jailed for nine years after attempting to smuggle £1 million worth of cocaine into Dover.
Robertas Trimailovas, from Lithuania, was stopped at the town's docks last month and Border Force officers searched his cab.
They found 24kg cocaine hidden in three separate spaces in the lining surrounding the driver’s bunk bed.
The 46-year-old was interviewed by the National Crime Agency and subsequently charged with importing a class A drug.
He pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday, and was today sentenced to nine years behind bars.
NCA Dover branch commander Martin Grace said: “Drug runners like Trimailovas should be in no doubt about our determination to catch them and bring them to justice.
“Class A drugs bring violence and exploitation to our communities, and working with partners like Border Force we are committed to disrupting the organised crime groups involved.”
NCA says the drugs would have sold for about £1 million on UK streets.
