A man who tried to smuggle £143,000 worth of cocaine into the UK has been jailed for four years.
Edwin Maduabuchi, 39, of Eclipse Road, Plaistow, admitted importing a class A drug on Thursday at Uxbridge Magistrates Court.
He was arrested by Border Force officers at Heathrow Terminal Five on Sunday Dec 2 having returning from Abuja in Nigeria.
Maduabuchi confessed to swallowing 11 packages containing drugs after officers requested he undergo an x-ray.
Forensic tests later discovered that he was carrying 1.16kg of 82 per cent pure cocaine worth a street value of around £143,000 if cut and sold in the UK.
Ian Truby, Border Force senior investigating officer, said: “This case shows what desperate lengths drug smugglers will go to.
“Swallowing packages like this is extremely dangerous and it could quite easily have had fatal consequences.
“Drug trafficking is a serious offence and this should serve as a warning to others. Border Force officers are on constant alert to prevent dangerous drugs like cocaine making it to our streets.”
The Border Force urge anyone with information linked to drug smuggling to call 0800 59 5000.
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