A DRUG smuggler stashed nearly £300,000 worth of heroin in secret compartments in his car before trying to cross the border into England.

Alfred Poldrack was attempting to bring 4kg of the Class A drug into the country from France.

But UK Border Agency inspectors decided to search the BMW car driven by the 49-year-old.

And after they found the bricks of heroin concealed in the dashboard, the drugs mule was arrested.

Now Poldrack, who lived on Cardonnel Street in North Shields, is beginning a lengthy prison sentence after being found guilty at a court in Kent.

Malcolm Bragg, the UKBA’s criminal and financial investigation assistant director, issued a warning to traffickers and vowed to prosecute those found in possession of drugs on the UK’s borders.

He said: “This is a strong warning to anyone who believes drug smuggling is acceptable. Clearly, the view of the courts is that it is a very serious matter and UK Border Agency officers will remain vigilant at all our ports and airports to prevent drugs reaching our streets.

“Heroin use destroys not only the lives of individual users, but also their families and the wider community.”

Poldrack, who was born in Germany, was arrested on August 12 last year at the Channel Tunnel entrance in Coquelles, France.

During the search of his British-registered BMW, officers found eight packages hidden in the car’s dashboard, to the right of the steering wheel.

They contained a total of 4kgs of heroin with a potential street value of up to £276,000. Poldrack was charged with attempted importation of the drugs.

He was found guilty by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday and sentenced to nine years in jail.

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drug smuggling should call 0800 59 5000 or use www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk