A man has been charged with trying to smuggle £300,000 worth of cocaine in handbags into St Pancras International station.

Lambert Musangwa, a 42-year-old Belgian man, was seized when he stepped of the train from Brussels on Sunday.

After questioning him police searched his luggage and allegedly found three kilos of the class A drugs in four handbags.

Officers estimate that, when cut, the cocaine had a potential value of £300,000 on the streets.

Musangwa was charged and appeared in Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody.

He will next appear at Isleworth Crown Court on February 6.

Paul Morgan, director of border force south east and Europe, said: “Cocaine is a vile and destructive drug, which ruins the lives of users and the wider community.

“Border Force officers are on constant alert to keep illegal drugs and other banned substances out of the UK.”

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling can call 0800 59 5000.