£1m cocaine seized at airport

Customs officers have arrested two people after seizing large quantities of cocaine - with an estimated street value of almost £1m - at Norwich International airport.

Details of the find emerged yesterday as Griet Onsea, 33,

from Belgium, and Harry Lum, 63, from America, appeared at Norwich magistrates court where they were remanded in custody

for 28 days.

An officer in charge of the operation said the find would play a key role in disrupting the supply of Class A drugs to streets in East Anglia.

Detection teams working for HM Revenue and Customs found the drugs early this week after searching the pair's luggage after their arrival on a flight from mainland Europe.

Officers are not disclosing the airport of departure as investigations in that country are continuing.

The team has not yet analysed the drugs, but they are believed to weigh between 10 kilos and 20 kilos.

In the past, 10 kilos of cocaine has been known to sell for as much as £450,000.

Jim Jarvie, head of operations for detection in the central region, said: "HM Revenue and

Customs is working at the forefront of the fight to stop

drugs entering the UK and to reduce the associated harm to our communities.

"We aim to protect society from this activity wherever we detect it, at the borders or inland."

A spokesman added: "HMRC detection teams from central region identified and intercepted the passengers.

"A search of their luggage revealed packages which were found to contain a large quantity of cocaine.

"They were subsequently interviewed and charged with being knowingly concerned in the importation of controlled Class A drugs."

If convicted, the pair could face up to 14 years in jail.

The case follows a string of similar arrest in Harwich in

which smaller amounts of

around three kilos were seized.

Each of these cases led to custodial sentences.

Anyone with any information relating to smuggled goods

should contact HMRC's confidential hotline number on 0800 59 5000.