Two men have been sentenced to a total of 20 years for attempting to smuggle approximately 6 kilograms of heroin into the UK via the Channel tunnel.

The drugs had an estimated street value of £280,000.

Steven Fitzsimmons, from Maghull, Merseyside was arrested by officers on 21 February 2010 at the Channel Tunnel entrance in Coquelles, France.

Officers had stopped and questioned Fitzsimmons who said he had been on a short trip to Bruges. Officers then searched the Renault Scenic he was driving and found the drugs, hidden in the floor, beneath the driver's seat.

Further enquiries by investigation officers linked the attempted importation to Michael McCarthy from Skelmersdale, Lancashire.

The pair were sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on 29 September 2011 after being found guilty by a jury there the same day.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©