A soldier has been jailed for 8 years for trying to smuggle cocaine through the port of Harwich.
Sharjeel Siddiqui had denied any knowledge that there was 433g of cocaine with a street value of £58,000 hidden in his car, but was convicted by a jury.
Customs officers discovered 22 sausage-shaped packages in the boot of his Audi on June 5 this year, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.
Siddiqui, 31, was stationed in Germany and had served in Iraq and Afghanistan as an interpreter.
He was jailed for 8 years and told he faced a dishonourable discharge from the Army and the loss of his military pension.
The drugs will be destroyed.
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