Stanislav Sasmil,Sandra Marisa Soares da Rocha, charged with drug smuggling offences

big haul of cocaine - estimated to be worth more than £1m - was seized at Birmingham Airport last Friday (February 1), it was revealed yesterday. Customs officers discovered eight kilos of the drug concealed inside two suitcases that arrived on a flight from Bangul in Gambia. The value of the cocaine was estimated at around £500,000, with the street value double or treble that amount. Three people were arrested in connection with the find. Stanislav Sasmil, aged 24, and Sandra Marisa Soares da Rocha, aged 26, were both remanded in custody until March 3 - charged with drug smuggling offences. A 53-year old man was also arrested but has not been charged. Steve Roper, detection manager for HM Revenue & Customs, said: ‘The success of this operation should send a clear message to organised crime gangs - our intelligence and detection skills are second to none.'

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