A HAYES man who smuggled hundreds of thousands of cigarettes and drugs into the UK was jailed for four years and eight months at Isleworth Crown Court this week.

Police searched three commercial units in Cranford Lane last year and found nearly a million tramadol and diazepam tablets, half a million cigarettes and smaller quantities of other drugs, all of which they seized.

They believe the items were brought into the country through Felixstowe.

Officers found the units were registered to Rajveer Wadhwa, 43, of Coldharbour Lane. 

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They arrested him on suspicion of importing Class C drugs through an airport, money laundering and possession of a Class A drug and seized £17,000 in cash from his home and car.  

PC Tom Blair said: "This fantastic result is thanks to a pro-active, intelligence-led investigation into smuggling at airports. 

"We have taken a vast quantity of prescription-only drugs off London's streets. These are drugs which, if not issued under strict medical guidance, can be addictive and dangerous."

Wadhwa was charged in December last year and appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to four charges, but not guilty to concealing criminal property. He changed his plea at a court appearance last month.