Multi-million pound drug seizure leads to 17 years in prison

 The seizure of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than £2 million has resulted in prison time for two drug smugglers.

Thanks to the instincts of Neighbourhood Task Force officers from Folkestone, a lorry containing multiple bags full of cocaine was pulled over. Proactive patrols on the A20 at around 10am on Thursday 21 May 2026 spotted a Renault Kangoo van parked in a layby. Officers pulled over to investigate the vehicle and discovered that there was a cash counter on the back seat.

50kg of cocaine 

Whilst patrols were investigating the van, they noticed a nearby HGV begin to pull away. The officers followed the HGV and brought it to a stop on the side of the road. Upon climbing up into the trailer of the lorry, officers located multiple carrier bags on top of the freight. Inside, almost 50kg of cocaine blocks were discovered.

A second man was also arrested as he attempted to flee the back of the lorry, where he had been hiding. When he was detained and searched, the keys to the Renault Kangoo van were discovered in his pocket.

The driver of the HGV, Dzmitry Danilah, a 36-year-old Belarusian national of no fixed address, and Klodian Marku, a 25-year-old Albanian national of South Lambeth Road, Vauxhall, London, were later charged with being concerned in the importation of cocaine.

Sentenced

They were sentenced on Wednesday 9 September at Canterbury Crown Court. Danilah received 9 years, and Marku received 8 years in prison.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Molly Harrington said:

‘This is an extremely large seizure and is a result that was based entirely on the keen eye and intuition of our local officers. Disrupting such a large number of drugs from entering the market will have a significant impact on those behind this organised crime. The removal of dangerous substances will also crucially help prevent harm in our communities.’