A BLACKBURN woman has appeared in court after £800,000 of cocaine was found in her luggage.

Jacqueline Millar, 49, of Livingstone Road, was arrested after UK border force officers seized eight kgs of drugs when she arrived at Gatwick Airport on a flight from Toronto. Millar appeared at Croydon Magistrates court after being charged with the attempted importation of cocaine and was remanded in custody until her next hearing at Croydon Crown Court on September 16.

It is not known if Millar was travelling direct from Canada on Sunday or had transferred from another international destination.

Border force police were also unable to confirm whether the substance was found on her carry on or hold luggage.

The news comes only weeks after Irish woman Michaella McCollum and British teenager Melissa Reid were caught in Peru after 11kg of cocaine were found amongst their belongings.

Neighbours yesterday said they were shocked by the discovery.

One said: “I’m astounded because this is such a sleepy street and obviously we have never known any incidents like this in the past.

“I’m pretty upset at what has happened.

Another said: “People generally tend to keep themselves to themselves around here, especially because so many residents are elderly.”

Carole Upshall, director of Border Force South, said officers had searched Millar’s luggage after she had been questioned at the airport.

She said: “Border force is at the forefront of the fight to stop drugs entering the UK. We are determined to protect society from this activity which can have such a destructive impact on communities as well as individuals.

“Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling should call the Hotline 0800 59 5000.”

  • We have been asked to point out that 28-year-old Jacqueline Miller, who also lives on the same street, has no connection to Jacqueline Millar, aged 49.