£2m drugs haul found in suitcases
AIRPORT X-RAY MACHINE SPOTTED COCAINE
COCAINE worth £2m has been found in suitcases with false bottoms at Manchester Airport.
Border Force officers seized 20kg of the drug when a passenger was stopped after arriving on a flight from Brussels, Belgium. An x-ray image of the seizure was revealed by the Home Office.
The seizure was made at the airport on Wednesday, September 19, but details have only just been released.
The images appear to show oblong images within the body of two suitcases.
The Home Office said the passenger ‘originated’ in West Africa.
No photographs of the actual haul have been revealed.
Border Force Regional Director, Liz Versi, said: “It is the job of Border Force to stay one step ahead of the smugglers who are looking to bring dangerous drugs into the UK. Detections such as this are testament to our officers’ dedication and expertise. “Illicit drugs like this have a significant impact on our society, being the root cause behind countless burglaries, thefts and robberies. They are also used as a commodity by organised criminals linked to violence and exploitation of the vulnerable. “Working with our colleagues at the National Crime Agency (NCA) we are determined to do all we can to stop drug traffickers. Those convicted of drug importation offences face considerable prison sentences.” The Home Office said that following the seizure, the investigation has been passed to the NCA. A 46-year-old Frenchman has been charged with importing a Class A drug and will appear from custody at Manchester Crown Court on October 22. Liz Versi