A trucker who tried to smuggle £1m worth of cocaine into Kent via the Channel Tunnel has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

Border Force Officers stopped the lorry of Polish driver Zenon Siwik, 48, at the Coquelles freight zone near Calais last month.

Canterbury Crown Court heard that a scan of the vehicle identified a number of dark block shapes.

Officers then searched the cab and found 12 packages in the driver’s side top locker and behind the lining of the tractor unit.

Siwik pleaded guilty to the smuggling charge.

The vehicle had travelled from Poland, where Siwik is an independent driver with his own business.

A National Crime Agency investigation revealed that he had travelled to the UK in the same vehicle on five previous occasions.

NCA Dover branch commander Matt Rivers said: “Not only have we stopped this criminal, who was intent on causing harm by bringing drugs into this country, we have also hit the supply chain.

“Organised crime groups rely on professional enablers like Siwik to get their drugs into the country – his was a key part of the chain.

“Working with Border Force we will continue to disrupt drugs gangs and stop profits from drugs being reinvested in further violent criminal activity.”

David Smith, deputy director of Border Force South East and Europe, said: “Border Force officers are at the forefront of preventing illegal substances and other banned goods, including Class A drugs, from entering the UK.

"In this case, we have prevented a large amount of cocaine from reaching our streets where they could have done so much damage to individuals and communities.

"We continue to work with our colleagues from the NCA to stamp out criminality like this and bring those responsible to justice.”