Supermarket staff find cannabis in food deliveries

By James Morrison, PA News

By James Morrison, PA News

17 November 1999

Customs officers seized a 70-kilo haul of cannabis which was hidden in cases of apple strudel dessert after cartons in which the drug was hidden were delivered to supermarkets across the South East of England, it emerged today.

Police were contacted yesterday by staff at several stores who said they had found the drugs in consignments of the ready-made desserts.

A Customs and Excise spokeswoman said today: "We can confirm the cannabis was found by store staff in a delivery of apple strudel.

"We are working closely with Tesco to investigate the incident.She said cartons containing the cannabis were delivered to several stores and a depot in the South East, but refused to give more precise locations or say at exactly what stage the discoveries were made.

"There is absolutely no food contamination issue involved here, as the cannabis was not inside the wrapping of any of the items," she added.

It is understood the cannabis was found after German-made apple strudels were delivered to a total of five Tesco stores, in Kent, Sussex and South East London.The consignments are thought to have then been traced back to the Tesco distribution centre at Snodland, near Maidstone.

A spokeswoman for Tesco said: "Store staff contacted the police after they discovered suspicious packages within the delivery."The police have now handed the matter on to Customs and Excise and we are working very closely with them."