A Dutchman has been arrested after police caught him carrying 220 lbs of heroin worth GBP 3.4 million in the back seat of his car.

The 25-year-old man whose identity was not disclosed had entered Germany from the Netherlands through the Bad Bentheim crossing, Lower Saxony State, on August 28.

Right upon entry at around 3pm, he was halted by customs officers who were stunned to discover several bags of drugs stashed in the back seat and trunk of his vehicle.

Later investigations by police revealed the items were valued at over EUR 4.1 million (GBP 3.4 million).

Emsland Grafschaft Bentheim Police Department spokeswoman Corinna Maatje said in a statement: 'In total, there were around 100 kilogrammes (220lbs) of heroin mixture and almost 100 kilogrammes of cutting agents.

'The 25-year-old driver was arrested and handed over to the Essen Customs Investigation Office along with the confiscated drugs for further investigations into the violation of the Narcotics Act.

'The successful search by the cross-border police team prevented heroin with a street price of around EUR 4.1 million from entering the illegal drug trade.'

Bad Bentheim Federal Police Inspectorate head Michael Schimkatis added: 'The greatest successes always come when we work hand in hand.

'The cross-agency cooperation in the Bodenheim cross-border police team is a real benefit for security in the German-Dutch border region.'

Emsland Grafschaft Bentheim Police Inspectorate director Nicola Simon said: 'This success shows once again the importance of cooperation in the fight against organised crime.

'We see the result of persistent work, commitment, perseverance and expertise on all sides of the police authorities involved.'

At the request of the Osnabrueck Public Prosecutor, the suspect was promptly hauled before a judge at the Nordhorn District Court.

He was subsequently transported to jail under an arrest warrant.

Maatje said: 'The final investigations in this case are being conducted by the Essen Customs Investigation Office at its headquarters in Nordhorn.'