Dalston man will appear in court after being charged with smuggling cocaine into the UK
About 1kg of cocaine was intercepted at Luton Airport. - Credit: Archant
A 48-year-old man from Dalston, who has been charged with attempting to smuggle cocaine into the UK, will be appearing at court on Thursday.
Andrew Chitedze, of Bosman Road, was arrested by Border Force officers at Luton airport at about 1.20pm on January 25.
He had just arrived on a flight from Madrid and is suspected of attempting to smuggle an estimated 1kg of cocaine, with a potential street value of around £40,000.
The man was later charged with attempting to import a class A drug. He appeared before Uxbridge Magistrates on January 31, offered no plea and has been remanded in custody until February 13 when he will appear at Isleworth Crown Court.
The case has been passed to the National Crime Agency for further investigation.
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Border Force Central region director, Phillip Holliday, said: “Border Force officers at Luton are on constant alert to prevent illegal drugs and other contraband reaching the UK’s streets.
“Drug trafficking is a serious offence and those convicted face long prison sentences.”
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Anyone with information about activity linked to smuggling should call 0800 59 5000.
