An Eltham man who was caught smuggling more than 200kg of cannabis from Spain to Swanley has been handed a four-year prison sentence.

Curtis Turner, 33, of Well Hall Road, was caught by Kent Police in a joint operation with the National Crime Agency for possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

On January 21 last year, eight pallets arrived from Spain and were delivered to a trading estate in Swanley.

The authorities tracked Turner's phone records, which showed he had called a number of van hire companies and eventually sourced a vehicle in Brockley.

A tracking device fitted to the van showed Turner travelling directly from the hire shop to Swanley, arriving shortly before 3.30pm.

Only six of the pallets would fit in the van, so Turner told the warehouse operative that he wasn’t going far, and would be back to collect the other two.

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Just after 4pm, Turner dropped off the six pallets at a lockup in Horton Kirby, and then returned to collect the remaining two packages.

When he arrived back at the lockup, he was stopped by Kent Police and arrested.

The total weight of the cannabis was over 236kg, with a street value of up to £3.5 million.

Turner was charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled substance.

He pleaded not guilty but following a trial at court he was found unanimously guilty by a jury.

On August 26 he was sentenced to four years in prison.

Detective Constable James Crouch, who investigated the case, said: "This was a successful policing operation which has taken a huge amount of illegal drugs off the streets.

"Despite being caught red-handed Turner professed his innocence, claiming he was unaware he was transporting millions of pounds worth of cannabis.

"However, when faced with an overwhelming amount of evidence, including analysis of Turner’s mobile phone, the jury found him guilty.

"Turner will now have several years to reflect on his actions."