A SUSPECTED drugs dealer has been charged with trying to smuggle millions of pounds worth of cocaine via a port.

The National Crime Agency investigators made the discovery at Newhaven on Saturday following a search by the UK Border Force.

Investigators say 100 kilograms of cocaine, worth as much as £10 million was found stashed in the rear of a refrigerated lorry carrying frozen fish.

The lorry had come off a ferry in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Officers recovered 97 packages containing about a kilogram in each, and the drugs have been taken away for tests.

The Argus:

Experts say that if cut and sold at street level it is likely to be worth the multi million pound sum.

NCA Senior Investigating Officer Paul Morris said: “Our officers are working alongside Border Force, Sussex Police, Thames Valley Police and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit to investigate this seizure and the circumstances around it.

“Working with partners we are determined to do all we can to disrupt the organised crime groups involved in the large-scale importation of class A drugs, which fuel serious violence and impact some of the most vulnerable members of our society. 

“Making seizures like this is an important part of that work.”

The NCA has charged 50-year-old James Satterly, of Kings Lane, Cookham, near Maidenhead, on suspicion of importing class A drugs.

He has been questioned by officers and remanded in custody to appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.