A Co Armagh lorry driver has been charged with conspiracy to import Class A drugs alongside a 57-year-old Kent man.
Gary Sloan, age 50, from Magheralin was due before Canterbury Magistrates Court yesterday alongside Jason Bunce from Kingswood, Kent according to the National Crime Agency.
A 40-year-old man from Dover, who was arrested at a haulage yard in the town, has been released under investigation.
The arrests were made after the National Crime Agency seized 36 kilos of suspected cocaine with a potential street value of around £3 million in a joint operation with Border Force.
The drugs were found in a purpose built compartment in a lorry that had travelled from France into Dover around 10pm on Thursday.
Sloan was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to import the drugs while Bunce was later detained on suspicion of the same offence near Dover.
NCA and the PSNI subsequently searched properties in counties Derry and Armagh.
NCA’s regional head of investigations Gerry McLean said: “This was a significant seizure of class A drugs which would have generated a large amount of profit for criminals involved in drug supply.
“Crime groups involved in drugs supply are also involved in violence and exploitation, so cutting off their profits reduces the harm they can cause for our communities.
“Working with partners like Border Force and the PSNI we are determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle gangs involved in drug trafficking.”
The arrests came days after the NCA warned that criminals, including drug traffickers, are still operating despite the pandemic.
Dave Smith, Border Force regional director, added: “We are determined to stop illegal drugs from reaching our streets.
“Drugs are intrinsically linked to organised criminals who trade in violence and exploitation, preying on individuals and impacting our communities.”
