£6.5m worth of cocaine and heroin seized from lorry transporting pizzas

Estimated 85 kilo haul discovered at Port of Dover

An estimated 82 kilos and three kilos of heroin were discovered

A haul of drugs worth over £6.5m has been seized at the Port of Dover from a lorry transporting pizzas from Italy.

An estimated 85 kilos of cocaine and heroin, wrapped in individual blocks, was found hidden between cartons.

The driver of the lorry, Adam Grzelj, a 50-year-old Slovenian national from Llubljana, has been charged with two counts of attempted Class A drug importation.

Officers intercepted a Slovakian registered lorry on 26 April and discovered an estimated 82 kilos of cocaine and three kilos of heroin hidden inside.

Dave Smith, Border Force regional director, said: “This seizure has taken millions of pounds worth of cocaine and heroin out of the hands of organised criminals and off our streets.

“Drugs are currency for organised gangs and are intrinsically linked to crime, violence and exploitation, which is why we are determined to catch anyone importing them.

“Border Force will continue to work with the NCA (National Crime Agency) to bring anyone involved in this type of criminality before the courts.”

Grzelj was remanded in custody following an initial court hearing at Medway Magistrates Court on Monday and will appear at Crown Court on a date yet to be confirmed.