A WOMAN from Ipswich has appeared in court charged with attempting to smuggle cocaine into the UK through Heathrow Airport.

UK Border Agency officers arrested 27-year-old Emma Backhouse after she arrived on a flight from Zurich yesterday. She had travelled from Sao Paulo in Brazil.

Following a search, around ten kilos of the drug were found in luggage. In total the drugs had an estimated value of around �400,000.

Backhouse, of Centrum Court, Ranelagh Road in Ipswich, was later charged with attempting to import a Class A drug.

She appeared before Uxbridge Magistrates Court today where she was remanded in custody.

Philip Astle, the UK Border Agency’s Heathrow Director, said: “Our officers are on constant alert to keep drugs, firearms and other banned substances out of the UK.

“Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drug smuggling should call our hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

Backhouse is due in court again on October 19 for a committal hearing.