£20 Million Cocaine Haul Seized at Harwich Port
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has charged a truck driver caught trying to smuggle a massive haul of class A drugs into the UK. Over 200 kilos of cocaine, worth more than £20 million, was seized at Harwich after a Border Force stop.
Frozen Meat Hides Drug Stash on Dutch Lorry
Border Force officers pulled over a Dutch-registered refrigerated lorry arriving from Hook of Holland on Monday, 11 November. Inside, cocaine was cleverly hidden wrapped in blocks of frozen meat stacked on pallets in the lorry’s back.
Driver Busted and Charged
Robert Tromp, 48, from Hillegom in the Netherlands, was arrested and questioned by the NCA. He faces importation charges and was remanded in custody after appearing at Colchester magistrates on 12 November. Tromp is set for trial at Chelmsford Crown Court on 12 December.
NCA Vows to Keep Tackling Drug Gangs
“While forensic checks are ongoing, this haul likely equals over £20 million once cut and sold,” said NCA branch commander Jacque Beer. “This seizure deals a huge blow to the criminal network behind it.” “Drug trade fuels gang violence and exploitation on UK streets, so we’re working with Border Force to stop it at the source. This was an excellent detection by our Border Force colleagues.”
