Met Police call handler denies smuggling cocaine disguised as peanut porridge in her luggage and will stand trial next August

Donna'ree Bennett, 33, a Met Police call handler from Hackney, pleaded not guilty at the Old Bailey to three charges, including fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on importing cocaine on 19 April 2024.

The IOPC directed the investigation that resulted in Bennett's charges — an unusual step for the police watchdog to take in a case involving a serving Met employee.

Bennett also denied two charges relating to the transfer and possession of criminal property, said to represent cash proceeds of crime between November 2022 and January 2024.

Judge Anuja Dhir KC set the trial date for 23 August next year; Bennett was granted unconditional bail.