FOUR former port workers have been charged over a plot to smuggle cocaine worth £50m through Tilbury docks.

The men were arrested by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers in June 2016, following an investigation into a number of drug importations alleged to have gone through the port between February and July 2015.

They answered bail yesterday and were charged.

Dean Pogmore, 42, from Stanford-le-Hope, Brett Toogood, 25, from Grays, Gary Walker, 32, from Grays and Peter Simmons, 39, from East Tilbury, have all been bailed to appear before Basildon Magistrates on May 4.

Toogood is additionally charged with three counts of money laundering, while his partner, Nicola Scott, 48, also from Grays, has been charged with money laundering.

The NCA investigation follows an operation by the Metropolitan Police, supported by the NCA, which resulted in the seizure of almost 200 kilos of cocaine in July 2015. Four people were subsequently convicted and given jail sentences totalling 57 years.

Matthew Rivers, from the National Crime Agency’s border investigations unit, said: “This is a long and complex investigation into offences alleged to have taken place at Tilbury, and we are grateful for the vital assistance provided by the port authorities.

“Protecting the security and integrity of the UK border is a priority. The NCA and our partners in the public and private sectors remain determined to root out corruption and stop those who would seek to circumvent border controls for criminal purposes.”

Last year, four people were handed long jail sentences for their part in a cocain smuggling plot.

Greg Spiers, 48, of London Road, Billericay, was jailed for 19 years,Tony Rees, 31, of Cecil Avenue, Chafford Hundred, was jailed for 15 years, Danny Hannaway, 25, of Lea Road, Grays, was jailed for 11 years and Danny O'Sullivan, 32, of Oxwich Close, Corringham, was jailed for 12 years and six months behind bars.

They were all convicted of conspiracy to supply and import controlled drugs.

A trial at Woolich Crown Court heard that the two vehicles were stopped by officers from the Met Police's special intelligence section (SIS) as they were about to exit the docks in the early hours of July 2, 2015..

Two hundred kilograms of high purity cocaine was found in the taxi and the two male drivers were arrested.

Three more men were arrested by dog units following a foot chase across marshland.

When they were arrested, they had taken off their shoes and most of their clothes.

In February 2015, a further 25 kilogrammes of cocaine was seized en route to the network.

At the time, investigating officer Det Insp Andy Whitewood, said the bust had dealt a "significant blow" to the organised group of drug dealers in the capital.

He said: "Cocaine weighing 225 kilograms would have made in excess of £50million had it reached the street-level sellers it was intended for.

"The vast majority of these drugs were destined for the streets of London, where drug sales line the pockets of criminals and blight the communities in which they are sold.

"Clearly, substantial levels of crime would need to have been committed to generate the funds necessary to purchase these drugs. This would have included burglary and robbery offences which have a devastating effect on the victims.

"Drug supply on our streets brings fear to our communities and the Met is determined to prevent it at every possible opportunity."