Man in court over £250,000 Heathrow cocaine smuggle

A suspected drug smuggler appeared in court today accused of flying into Heathrow with cocaine worth £250,000 in his luggage.

Lucian Petrica Codreanu, 27, was arrested at Terminal 5 yesterday after arriving on a flight from Rio de Janeiro, the UK Border Agency said.

Officers searching the Romanian's bags said they seized about 2.5 kilos (5.5lb) of cocaine, which could eventually be worth £250,000 on the street.

Codreanu was remanded in custody charged with attempting to import a class A drug when he appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court this morning.

He will appear again at the same court for a committal hearing on June 19.

Marc Owen, of Heathrow's border force, said: "Border force officers are on constant alert to keep illegal drugs and other banned substances out of the UK.

"Drug trafficking is a serious offence and those convicted face long prison sentences. Our message to those who would consider it is that it's just not worth it."

PA