Two men are facing charges of importing illegal drugs after Border Force officers discovered a huge stash of ketamine, cocaine and MDMA (ecstasy) in their van on Saturday (8 July).
The van had arrived from France and was stopped at the Port of Dover as part of an operation led by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU).
A hidden compartment in the roof of the vehicle contained 62 kilogrammes of ketamine, 30 kilogrammes of MDMA estimated to be 300,000 ecstasy pills, and six kilogrammes of cocaine. The drugs have a street value of more than £2 million.
The two men, aged 22 and 23, were arrested and charged with two counts of importing class A drugs and one count of importing class B drugs with intent to evade prohibition. They were remanded in custody after appearing at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 10 July.
ERSOU investigators were assisted by officers from Kent Police and the Metropolitan Police Service.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Dowty, from ERSOU’s Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), said: “This was a joint operation by several law enforcement agencies that stopped a large amount of drugs from entering our communities.
“These substances are not only harmful to the users, but they also support organised crime across the country, which is linked to violence, exploitation, and other crimes.
“We will keep working closely with our partners to catch those who are involved in importing such goods and prevent drugs from reaching our streets.”