Driver Caught with 60kg of Cocaine at Immingham Dock
Rimas Ekleris, 59, was busted with a whopping 60kg of cocaine hidden in a secret floor compartment of his cab unit. He arrived at Immingham Dock on August 19, 2022, after travelling from Cuxhaven, Germany.
Border Force and NCA Crack the Case
Acting on a tip-off from the National Crime Agency (NCA), Border Force officers searched Ekleris’s vehicle and uncovered the stash. The cocaine was cleverly concealed beneath the floor, designed to evade detection.
Working with Lithuania’s Criminal Police Bureau, NCA investigators obtained phone call recordings proving Ekleris had full knowledge of the drugs. He collected the packages from a supplier and was instructed on how to access the hidden compartment.
Jury Convicts Ekleris – 14 Years Behind Bars
Ekleris was found guilty at Grimsby Crown Court on September 25, 2023. Yesterday (January 4, 2024), he was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in the drug smuggling operation.
The wider organised crime group is still under investigation in Lithuania, with continued support from the National Crime Agency.
Strong Words from NCA and Border Force Chiefs
Carl Barrass, NCA Senior Investigating Officer, said: “Despite maintaining his innocence throughout the trial, Rimas Ekleris was found guilty and now faces several years behind bars. Work by NCA officers and our Border Force partners was key in detecting the sophisticated concealment and proving his involvement from the start. Class A drugs ruin lives, and we won’t stop fighting to cut off supply chains that harm communities across the UK.”
Danny Hewitt, Director of Border Force, added: “Our officers played a pivotal role in seizing millions of pounds worth of cocaine, leading to this dangerous criminal’s arrest and conviction. We remain committed to stopping dangerous drugs from entering the country.”
