Cocaine worth £7m found hidden in Essex lorry carrying Kim Kardashian clothing
Polish driver jailed for smuggling drugs in a Skims consignment
A Polish lorry driver has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison after attempting to smuggle cocaine valued at over £7 million into Essex.
Jakub Jan Konkel, aged 40, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court today after pleading guilty to drug smuggling charges following an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Konkel was stopped by Border Force officers on 5th September last year at the Port of Harwich, Essex, as he arrived on a ferry from the Hook of Holland in The Netherlands.
His vehicle, carrying legitimate Skims clothing from Kim Kardashian's fashion line, was found to have been specially modified with a hide in the rear trailer doors.
The hide contained 90 packages, each holding 1kg of cocaine worth approximately £7.2 million.
Konkel, from Kartuzy in northern Poland, initially denied knowledge of the drugs but later confessed to smuggling them for a payment of 4,500 Euros.
National Crime Agency Investigation
The NCA discovered Konkel's tachograph recorded a 16-minute unexplained stop, which is believed to be when the drugs were loaded onto the vehicle.
The investigation, led by NCA operations manager Paul Orchard, highlighted the tactics used by organised crime groups.
“Organised crime groups use corrupt drivers like Konkel to move Class A drugs often hidden on entirely legitimate loads,” Orchard said.
The operation has successfully removed a significant quantity of cocaine and disrupted an important channel for drug distribution.
Border Force Contribution
Assistant Director of Border Force, Jason Thorn, commended the interception.
“These drugs destroy lives and inflict misery on our communities,” Thorn said. “This significant interception is testament to the brilliant work of Border Force.”
The collaboration between the NCA and Border Force continues to be crucial in protecting the public and keeping harmful drugs off UK streets.
Konkel will serve 13 years and six months behind bars for his part in the smuggling operation.