Driver charged after cocaine ‘concealed with frozen fish’ found in Sussex

A man has been charged after almost 100 kilograms of cocaine were seized in Sussex.
Picture supplied by the National Crime AgencyPicture supplied by the National Crime Agency
Picture supplied by the National Crime Agency

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the haul was discovered at Newhaven port concealed in a load of frozen fish in the rear of a refrigerated van searched by Border Force as it came off a ferry in the early hours of yesterday morning (Saturday, November 23).

According to the NCA, officers recovered 97 packages containing approximately a kilogram of cocaine each.

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The drugs have now been taken away for further analysis, the NCA said, but if cut and sold at street level it is likely the haul would have had a potential value of around £10 million.

An NCA spokesman said: “The driver, 50-year-old James Satterley from Kings Lane, Cookham in Maidenhead, was questioned by NCA officers and charged with importing class A drugs. He has been remanded in custody to appear before Brighton magistrates on Monday.”

NCA senior investigating officer Paul Morris said: “NCA officers are working alongside Border Force, Sussex Police, Thames Valley Police and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit to investigate this seizure and the circumstances around it.

“Working with partners we are determined to do all we can to disrupt the organised crime groups involved in the large-scale importation of class A drugs, which fuel serious violence and impact some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Making seizures like this is an important part of that work.”