Pilot Extradited Back To UK To Face Smuggling Charges

A Belgian pilot has appeared in court charged with dropping barrels of cocaine from a light aircraft into the Kent countryside.

Rudi Sels, 65, from Balen near Antwerp, was arrested by officers from the Belgian National Police on Friday 20th October.

Sels was subject of a European Arrest Warrant requested by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) as part of their investigation into an incident in June 2016, which led to the recovery of 31 kilos of cocaine with a potential street value of £2.5m from a builders yard in Faversham.

Three men had previously been jailed for a total of 38 years in January this year for their roles in the importation.

Following his extradition from Belgium, Sels appeared before Crawley Magistrates yesterday (Tuesday 31st October) charged with conspiracy to import Class A drugs into the UK.

He was remanded in custody until his next appearance at the Old Bailey in London on Tuesday 28th November.