Former Police officer Tory Darrell and Wayne Mahon were the two men arrested at Gatwick airport on Sunday for attempting to smuggle $20 million worth of heroin to Bermuda, has learned.

A UK Customs spokesman yesterday confirmed the duo were apprehended by airport Police while in transit from the Netherlands, following the discovery of six kilograms of heroin concealed within the kick-boxing equipment they had brought with them.

The heroin could have a street value here of $20 million. The spokesman said: ?I can only speculate at this stage, but given the amount of drugs and the quite sophisticated nature of the smuggling operation, both could be looking at a prison sentence of ten to 15 years if convicted ? perhaps longer.?

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines confirmed yesterday that Darrell is a former Policeman and is currently employed at TCD.

In Crawley Magistrates? Court on Monday, both were charged with the importation of a controlled drug.

It is understood a trial date is likely to be set for the beginning of February.