A man has been jailed after attempting to smuggle drugs worth more than £500,000 into the country.

Thomas John Mayes, of Kemsley Street, Bredhurst, pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court after attempting to smuggle around 10 kilos of amphetamine and a kilo of cocaine at Dover Docks.

The drugs had an estimated street value of £520,000.

Border Force officers stopped a British-registered Ford transit van at the tourist controls in Dover’s Eastern Docks on February 19 this year.

When questioned the driver, Thomas John Mayes, said he had been to Belgium to pick up market goods for sale in the UK. Officers searched the vehicle and found the drugs under a false floor in the vehicle.

Mayes, 23, was arrested and the investigation passed to the National Crime Agency.

Mayes pleaded guilty at a hearing at Canterbury Crown Court on March 10 and was sentenced today to seven-and-half years imprisonment

Paul Morgan, director of Border Force South East and Europe said: “Drug trafficking is a serious offence and those convicted will face prison sentences. Our message to those who would consider it is that it’s just not worth it.

“Border Force officers will continue to work diligently to keep our border secure and to make life as tough as possible for those who seek to profit from this evil trade.”

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drug smuggling should call the hotline on 0800 59 5000.