A Dutch man was found to have cocaine worth more than £70,000 hidden in his shoes after being stopped at Harwich International Port.
Louis Berkhof, 41, of Mijnsheren Plein, Rotterdam, admitted fraudulent evasion of the laws prohibiting the supply of cocaine, a Class A drug, at Colchester Court yesterday.
Phil Westley, prosecuting, said Berkhof had been stopped by customs officers, who removed his shoes and took them for an X-ray, which showed packages sealed up with brown tape concealed inside.
When opened, the packages contained white powder, which tests later revealed to be cocaine.
Mr Westley said the haul totalled 1.3kg of cocaine, which has a street value of £71,500.
Berkhof said he had been 15,000 euros in debt and had been told he would get paid 400 to 500 euros to wear the shoes to the UK.
He was remanded in custody until February 24, when he will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Published Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article