EXCLUSIVE: Man denies smuggling £1m of cocaine into UK found in his wheelchair

A man has denied smuggling nearly £1m of cocaine found hidden in an electric wheelchair at Manchester Airport.

Portuguese national Casimiro De Lemos Francisco, 56, today (May 6 2025) appeared at Manchester Crown Court when, speaking through an interpreter, he pleaded not guilty to one count of drug smuggling.

He was charged after a man was stopped at the airport on Sunday, March 30 2025, after he arrived on a flight from Bridgetown in Barbados.

Border Force officers scanned the wheelchair which contained 11 packages, weighing 12k, concealed in the seat and backrest.

De Lemos Francisco is remanded in custody at HMP Forest Bank ahead of a trial in September.

NCA senior investigating officer Charles Lee, said: “The concealment shows the ingenuity crime groups employ to smuggle cocaine.

“The NCA works with partners at home and abroad to combat the threat of Class A drugs and protect the UK public.”