by Lynn Cox

lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

An expectant Gillingham woman has pleaded guilty to smuggling cocaine into Britain through Heathrow airport.

Katherine Lennard,19, a cleaner from Millburn Road, was stopped by UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers on Sunday as she arrived on a flight from Costa Rica via Madrid.

During a search of baggage, officers discovered two kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of £80,000.

After officers discovered the drugs, the case was passed to HM Revenue & Customs investigators, (HMRC) who later charged Lennard, with attempting to smuggle cocaine through Heathrow airport.

She appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Tuesday, May 12 where she pleaded guil entered a guilty plea.

Lennard has been remanded in custody and will next appear at Isleworth Crown Court, London, for sentencing on Thursday, June 25.

Peter Avery, assistant director criminal investigation at HMRC said: "Drugs devastate lives and communities.

"HMRC investigators and their UK Border Agency colleagues are determined to stop them reaching our streets.

"We would urge anyone with information about drug smuggling to call the Customs’ hotline on 0800595000."