A lorry driver who attempted to smuggle £142,000 out of the UK in a holdall has been jailed for money laundering.

Krzysztof Obarski, 43, was arrested and questioned by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigators after Border Force officers stopped him at Dover Docks as he waited to board a ferry.

A search of his lorry uncovered cash totalling £142,592 in the holdall hidden in the roof of the cab.

Alan Tully, assistant director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “Obarski now has to pay the price for his involvement with dirty cash and today's sentence sends a clear message to those tempted to launder money that they are taking a serious risk.

“HMRC is determined to crackdown on people committing this type of crime."

Obarski was remanded in custody and on Monday, September 21, he pleaded guilty to money laundering.

He was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Canterbury Crown Court today (Thursday, November 5).

The cash has been seized and proceedings are in place for it to be forfeited to the Crown.