£20 Million Cocaine Haul Seized at Harwich – Truck Driver Charged
A Dutch truck driver has been charged after cocaine worth more than £20 million was busted at Harwich port. The huge drug stash was hidden inside frozen meat on a refrigerated lorry arriving from the Hook of Holland.
Huge Cocaine Haul Hidden in Frozen Meat
Border Force officers stopped the Dutch-registered HGV on Monday, 11 November, and discovered over 200 kilos of cocaine wrapped in blocks of frozen meat, packed onto pallets in the back of the truck. The drug seizure stunned investigators.
Driver Arrested and Charged
Robert Tromp, 48, from Hillegom in the Netherlands, was questioned by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and charged with attempted importation of a Class A drug. He appeared at Colchester Magistrates Court on 12 November and was remanded in custody ahead of his next court date at Chelmsford Crown Court on 12 December.
NCA Warns of Violent Crime Fuelled by Drugs
National Crime Agency’s branch commander Jacque Beer said:
“While forensic checks are still being carried out, this haul would have a street value exceeding £20 million once cut and sold. “Our investigation is ongoing, but this seizure has dealt a serious blow to the criminal gang behind it and caused them major disruption. The illicit drug trade drives much of the gang violence and exploitation we see on UK streets. That’s why we, along with Border Force, are determined to stop these drugs before they reach the public. This was an excellent detection by our Border Force colleagues.”
This dramatic catch exposes the scale of drug smuggling networks trying to flood UK streets and highlights the relentless efforts of the NCA and Border Force to crack down on criminal gangs.
