31 July 2020

Lorry driver arrested after £1.5m of drugs seized at Channel Tunnel terminal

31 July 2020

A lorry driver has been arrested after police seized cannabis worth an estimated £1.5 million at the UK-France border.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the 43-year-old was detained at the Channel Tunnel terminal in Coquelles, northern France, on Thursday morning.

Border Force officers recovered around 150 kilos of cannabis with an estimated street value of £1.5 million from a vehicle, as well as £2,000 in cash.

We are determined to do all we can to stem the supply of illicit drugs to Scotland

The NCA said the man, from Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, was later released under investigation.

Officers from the agency and Police Scotland have searched properties in Motherwell, and nearby Bellshill and Shotts.

NCA Scotland branch operations manager John McGowan said: “This is a significant drug seizure involving NCA teams in Scotland and England working together with partners including Border Force and Police Scotland.

“Together we are determined to do all we can to stem the supply of illicit drugs to Scotland, where they can do so much damage to our communities.”

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