Romanian lorry driver caught with cocaine at Port of Hull tried to destroy mobile phones while searc

A ROMANIAN lorry driver who tried to smuggle cocaine worth around £1.7 million into the country has been jailed for more than eight years.

Mihai Ciceu, 34, (pictured) was stopped at the Port of Hull on January 22 after arriving on a ferry from Zeebrugge.

Border Force officers found three packages concealed within the floor of the lorry trailer, which contained approximately 21 kilos of cocaine.

The lorry driver of ten years tried to destroy two mobile phones in his possession while the search was underway.

He was interviewed by officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA).

He denied all knowledge of the packages and claimed he arrived at his delivery destination two days ahead of schedule, and during that time had left the vehicle unattended for long periods of time.

SEIZED: Cocaine found concealed in the lorry (Border Force)

An NCA spokesman said: "However, he was unable to offer explanation about anyone who would have the knowledge, time and opportunity to conceal the drugs and then retrieve them once he was in the UK.

"Ciceu was also found to be in possession of multiple mobile phones, two of which he tried to destroy whilst his vehicle was being searched."

Mark Spoors, Branch Commander at the NCA, said: “Cocaine in these quantities has a lot to answer for - fuelling gang violence, exploitation and violence on the streets.

“Individuals like Ciceu play an important role in the supply chain and enabling of other crimes, making our job to stop people like him ever more vital.

“We will continue working with our partners to stop the flow of class A drugs into the UK.”

SEARCH: Ciceu's lorry during the search (Border Force)

Ciceu was today jailed for eight years and eight months at Hull Crown Court, having pleaded guilty to importing Class A drugs at an earlier hearing.

Murdo MacMillan, Deputy Director Border Force, said: “This was an excellent detection that took a substantial quantity of cocaine out of circulation.

“Ciceu’s lorry had been specially adapted for the sole purpose of smuggling. Criminals will always look to find new ways to evade detection and the challenge we face is to stay one step ahead.

“Every year Border Force officers operating at the UK border seize Class A drugs worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

"Working with law enforcement partners like the National Crime Agency we are determined to prevent drug trafficking and to bring those responsible to justice.”