UK trucker jailed after £7 million cocaine found hidden in Kim K's undergarment brand shipment

A truck driver has been sentenced to more than 13 years in prison in the United Kingdom after authorities discovered cocaine worth over £7 million hidden inside a consignment of clothing linked to Kim Kardashian’s Skims brand, according to the UK’s National Crime Agency.

The accused, identified as 40-year-old Polish national Jakub Jan Konkel, was sentenced by Chelmsford Crown Court following an investigation conducted by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

As per the agency, Konkel was intercepted by Border Force officers at the Port of Harwich in Essex in September last year after arriving on a ferry from the Netherlands. His truck was carrying multiple pallets of legitimate Skims clothing and underwear shipments when officials conducted an X-ray inspection.

Investigators discovered that the trailer had been specially modified with a concealed compartment hidden inside the rear trailer doors. Authorities recovered around 90 kilograms of cocaine from the hideout, with the seized narcotics estimated to have a street value of approximately £7.2 million.

The NCA stated that neither the clothing exporter nor importer had any connection with the drug smuggling attempt and that the commercial shipment itself was entirely legitimate.

Officials further claimed that data from the vehicle’s tachograph showed an undeclared stop during the journey, which investigators believe was when the drugs were loaded into the vehicle.

Konkel initially denied knowledge of the drugs but later pleaded guilty to smuggling charges and reportedly admitted he had agreed to transport the cocaine in exchange for payment.

Commenting on the case, NCA operations manager Paul Orchard said organised crime groups frequently use legitimate cargo and corrupt drivers to transport Class A drugs across borders.

Border Force Assistant Director Jason Thorn stated that the seizure prevented dangerous narcotics from reaching communities and deprived criminal networks of millions in illegal profits.