SMUGGLERS tried to bring in thousands of pounds worth of cocaine inside boxes of marked rum.

Border Force officers found the class A drugs which had been stowed on board a flight from Barbados to Gatwick.

The cocaine, which weighed 8.5 kilograms, was wrapped in plastic and has an estimated street value of £535,000 after being cut.

Two passengers were stopped as they arrived at the airport.

Border Force South director Tim Kingsberry said: “It is the job of Border Force to stay one step ahead of the smugglers who would look to bring dangerous drugs like this into the UK.

“Detections such as this are testament to Border Force officers’ expertise. In this case, the drugs seized were estimated to have a potential value of approximately £535,000 once cut and sold on the streets.

"Working with law enforcement colleagues, we are determined to prevent drug trafficking and bring those responsible to justice.”

The investigation has now been passed to the National Crime Agency after two men were charged with importing the drugs.

Grantley Herbert Thompson, 62, and Jamal Ricardo Walcott, 30, from Barbados, appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Monday September, 3.

They will next appear at Croydon Crown Court on Monday, October 1.