Three charged over drugs in dogs

The dogs arrived at Schipol airport from Colombia

Three people have appeared in court in Essex after bags of cocaine were found inside two live Labrador dogs.

The three were arrested after the dogs arrived at Schipol Airport in Amsterdam in the Netherlands after being transported from Colombia.

The drugs had been surgically concealed in small packets in the underbelly of the dogs.

One of the dogs died and the other is recovering.

A total of seven people were arrested at Stansted Airport Business Park in connection with the incident.

Glenroy Kentish, 27, of Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Gregory Graham, 26, of Harrow, Middlesex, and Sophia McPherson, 23, of Luton in Bedfordshire were charged with attempting to import 1.6 kilograms of cocaine.

They appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and were remanded in custody to appear before Harlow Magistrates' Court on 7 October.

The other four were bailed to return to an Essex police station on various dates in December, pending further inquiries.