Canning Town mechanic ‘smuggled cocaine in bike parts’ court told
A mechanic used his job in a motorbike workshop to receive shipments of cocaine hidden in spare parts, a court heard.
Hudson De Oliveria, 30, from Canning Town, allegedly imported more than half a kilo of the drug from his native Brazil.
Police launched an undercover operation after an inspector became suspicious when the package was put through an X-ray machine at a Parcelforce depot in Coventry on February 1.
Snaresbrook Crown Court heard a white paste was seen inside and tested positive for cocaine.
The package was allowed to be delivered to Whitechapel and the drugs replaced.
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An undercover police officer posing as a courier went to the address in east London and the accused signed for the package.
Police arrested De Oliveria who said his name was Giovani Constantino.
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The white paste was found to contain 689g of cocaine at 68 per cent purity.
De Oliveria, of Crediton Road, denies one count of dealing with goods with fraudulent intent.
The trial continues.
