Plans to smuggle nearly 12kg of cocaine with an estimated value of £1.4m into the UK through London Biggin Hill Airport were foiled by border police.

The border force officers discovered the illegal drugs when they stopped a passenger as they arrived in on a flight from Breda, near Rotterdam.

Officers examined a bag which was found to contain six packages which gave a positive indication to a cocaine drugs field test.

Sue Young, border force south director, said: “Border Force officers remain vigilant, especially during this holiday period, to prevent illegal and dangerous drugs from reaching our streets.

“Working with law enforcement colleagues like the National Crime Agency, we are determined to prevent drug trafficking and bring those responsible to justice.

“The drugs seized were estimated to have a potential value of £1.4m once cut and sold on the streets.”

Kevin Bourne, 31, from Holland, was arrested and charged with attempting to import a Class A drug.

He appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 28 December. He was remanded in custody to appear at Croydon Crown Court on 25 January 2017.

Border Force officers use an array of search techniques including sniffer dogs, carbon dioxide detectors, heartbeat monitors and scanners - as well as visual searches - to find well-hidden stowaways, illegal drugs, firearms and tobacco.

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call the hotline on 0800 59 5000.