A Bradford man has been charged after parcels of heroin with a street value of £40 million were found hidden in a Jaguar car by the National Crime Agency.

The drugs were found stashed in every conceivable hiding place within the silver vehicle, including under the handbrake and gearbox, when the vehicle was impounded in Essex.

NCA officers also found the tightly-wrapped parcels of heroin under wheel arches, in the glovebox, under the pedals and behind the car’s central console.

It was also packed into the underside of the parcel shelf and secured with thick black tape. Officers also found other parcels of the drug in the bumpers, the spare wheel compartment, engine, dashboard and rear seating.

More than 130 parcels weighing a total of 436.5lb (198kg) – were found. The haul was broken down into about 20 evidence bags by NCA officers.

The car had been delivered to a business in the Romford area of Essex last Friday evening. During the early hours of Saturday two men were arrested in Luton, said an NCA spokesman Noman Qureshi, 32, of Brackenhill Mews, Great Horton, Bradford, has appeared before magistrates in Luton, charged with conspiracy to supply heroin.

He was remanded in custody and will next appear at the same court on Christmas Eve. Alongside him in the dock was Israr Khan, 34, of St Ethelbert Avenue, Luton.

He was also remanded in custody and will again appear at Luton Magistrates on Christmas Eve.

The investigation is ongoing, the NCA spokesman said last night.