A Bulgarian drug smuggler has been jailed for seven years for trying to sneak £200,000 of heroin into the UK.

Nedko Nedev from Croydon was busted by UK Border Agency officers in Dover after stuffing 4kg of the drug under the bonnet of his car in March.

When officers questioned him, Nedev said he had borrowed the car from a friend and travelled to Brussels to collect some tools.

Nedev pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court on October 6.

A spokesman for the UKBA said it would attempt to deport Nedev from the UK once his prison sentence is served.

UKBA criminal and financial assistant director Malcolm Bragg, said: “This is a strong warning to anyone who believes drug smuggling is acceptable.

“Clearly, the view of the courts is that it is a very serious matter and UK Border Agency officers will remain vigilant at all our ports and airports to prevent drugs reaching our streets.”

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drug smuggling can call the UKBA hotline on 0800 595 000.