Lithuanian van driver smuggled cocaine in fuel tank

A Lithuanian van driver, who tried to smuggle millions of pounds worth of cocaine into the UK hidden inside his fuel tank, has been jailed.

Ernestas Rekstys, 34, was investigated by the National Crime Agency after he was stopped at the port in Dover on 16 October.

The packages of drugs were found after Border Force officers noticed an anomaly when they scanned Rekstys’ vehicle.

Drug packages
NCA

When the fuel tank was removed, packages containing a white powder were seen floating inside.

Multiple packages weighing more than 30 kilograms were removed from the tank, analysed and found to contain cocaine.

National Crime Agency forensic analysts estimated the street value of the cocaine at more than £2.4 million.

In interviews with NCA investigators, Rekstys initially claimed to have borrowed the van and denied knowledge of the drugs.

However, he later changed his story and pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court to being involved in the importation of a controlled drug.

He was jailed for nine years and nine months at the same court today.

Drug packages
NCA

The National Crime Agency’s Senior Investigating Officer Daren Nicholls said:

“This was a significant amount of cocaine and the profits from this importation would only have caused further criminality when distributed.

“The NCA will continue to work with our partners including Border Force to stop the smugglers who work for organised crime groups intent on bringing drugs into the UK.”