A Dutch coach driver who smuggled 3kg of cocaine into the country has been jailed for almost five years.

Jerone Eggermont, 43, was caught trying to selling the drug, with a street value of £165,000, to Jonathon Vallejo-Penna, 28, from Enfield.

The pair were busted after officers from the Met Central Task Force caught them red-handed doing a drug deal in Ponton Road, Battersea, on May 15.

The Dutchman, who was returning to London from Folkestone, was spotted passing a large bag to Vallejo-Penna and police swooped.

Following his arrest, officers recovered 35,000 euros in cash, mainly made up of 200 euro notes plus 3kg of drugs.

Police found the coach driver, who travels across Europe, had been using his legitimate job as a front for the drug smuggling deal.

Analysis of the drug seized revealed it was almost 78 per cent purity - the majority of cocaine taken off the streets has a purity of about 30 per cent.

Intelligence suggests the large haul was destined to be "cut" with other drugs and distributed by London-based gangs.

Both men were jailed at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, June 18, for their role in the monster drug deal.

Eggermont admitted importing cocaine and received a sentence of four years eight months imprisonment.

Vallejo-Penna pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and was handed a four-year sentence.

Detective Inspector Colin Stephenson said: "This is another example of the Central Task Force combating the supply of crack-cocaine destined for gangs within London.

"We will continue to rigorously pursue those who seek to profit from the misery of ordinary Londoners going about their everyday lives."