JAILED: Walsall man attempted to smuggle £800k of cocaine into England in lunchbox
A man has been jailed after being caught trying to smuggle more than £800,000 worth of cocaine into England in a lunch box and a plastic bag.
James Reginald Bettridge, from Walsall, told Border Force officers he was delivering furniture when he arrived on a ferry at the Eastern Docks in Dover.
But he was found to have stashed white powder in five tape wrapped packages in a plastic bag and a lunch box hidden underneath the passenger seat of his VW van.
Tests of the substance proved positive for cocaine. He committed the offence when coming into the country from Calais in August last year.
Officers seized the six kilogrammes of Class A drug, which had an estimated potential street value of more than £817,000.
They also found a CS gas cannister, commonly used for tear gas, in a box inside the vehicle.
When he was questioned Bettridge originally claimed he had been to Hamburg in Germany to drop off furniture.
The 37-year-old from Wells Lane was arrested on suspicion of importing Class A drugs and an offensive weapon.
At Canterbury Crown Court this week, Bettridge admitted to the offences was sentenced to six years in prison.
Paul Morgan, director of Border Force South East and Europe, said: "Drug smuggling is a serious offence and those convicted will face prison sentences.
"Our message to those who would consider it is that it's just not worth it.
"In this case our officers have prevented a large amount of drugs and a dangerous weapon from reaching the streets.
"Working with law enforcement colleagues like the National Crime Agency we are determined to do all we can to prevent drug trafficking and put those responsible behind bars."
He urged anyone with information on drug smuggling activity to call the Border Force hotline on 0800 595000.
