Predrag Gogic, 53, admitted attempting to smuggle £1.6 million of cocaine into the UK He was stopped driving a truck carrying the drugs in Dover in May
A lorry driver arrested trying to smuggle £1.6 million worth of cocaine into Britain has been jailed for six years.
Predrag Goric (53), was stopped in May by Border Force Officers at Dover’s Eastern Docks.
The officers discovered an anomaly within the HGV of the Belgian-bound driver after scanning it.
Further inspection revealed that 20 kilograms of cocaine were hidden inside blue-green shrink-wrapped boxes.
A probe was opened into the drug found in the truck. Interview with National Crime Agency (NCA), officers revealed that Gogic knew about the drug in his trailer, and claimed he was being paid to bring the drugs into the UK.
Gogic of Vukovar, Croatia told officers that cocaine was bound for Leicester where he would receive 10,000 euros.
NCA forensic experts believe that the Class A drugs would have been worth an estimated £1.6 million once cut and sold on the streets.
Yesterday, Gogic was in Canterbury Crown Court. He pleaded guilty for trying to import Class-A drugs.
Mark Howes of the NCA stated that Gogic was working for organised crime groups and seeking criminal profits by transporting drugs across the borders.
“Individuals such as him don’t consider the negative impact illegal drug supply can have on their communities. The exploitation of vulnerable persons and violence by Cocaine is a continuing problem.
‘Instead of receiving a €10,000 pay-out, he’ll be spending six years behind bars.
“The NCA is dedicated to fighting the threat of Class A drugs and protecting the public.
“Working alongside key partners like Border Force, I will continue to disrupt the drug networks at each stage of their trafficking.
They were wrapped in green and blue packaging, hidden within reels made of paper cord.
Dover Customs officers spotted an unusuality when scanning the truck
An inspection of the truck revealed that the drug was well-hidden within the legit load.
The National Crime Agency confirmed the drugs could have had a street value of £1.6 million