A Polish truck driver received a 13-year and six-month prison sentence after authorities discovered roughly 90 kilograms of cocaine worth £7.2 million (approximately $9.3 million) hidden inside a truck carrying legitimate SKIMS underwear and clothing owned by Kim Kardashian.
Jakub Jan Konkel, age 40 and from Kartuzy in northern Poland, was stopped by Border Force officers at Harwich International Port in Essex on September 5, 2025. His heavy goods vehicle had arrived via ferry from Hook of Holland in the Netherlands and contained 28 pallets of genuine SKIMS products. Officers grew suspicious, performed an X-ray scan, and located the drugs concealed in a specially constructed compartment within the rear trailer doors.
Konkel initially denied knowledge of the cocaine but later pleaded guilty. He admitted diverting the truck to pick up the 90 one-kilogram packages from an industrial site in Belgium before continuing on the legitimate delivery route, according to BBC News. Court records show he agreed to handle the smuggling run for a payment of 4,500 euros. The National Crime Agency confirmed that neither the SKIMS exporter, the importer, nor the brand itself had any connection to the criminal effort.
Neither Kim Kardashian nor SKIMS has issued a public statement on the incident. Officials reached out to Kardashian for comment during reporting but received no response. The brand continues to focus on its core operations without addressing the matter directly on social media or through official channels.
SKIMS maintains standard supply chain practices common in the apparel sector, including compliance with the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act. The company publishes a statement on its website outlining efforts to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking through supplier due diligence. It has also partnered with technology provider Altana to enhance visibility into its extended supplier network, using data tools for risk assessment related to forced labor, sanctions, and compliance issues.
This approach helps with ethical sourcing and regulatory adherence but centers more on labor and sustainability risks than on physical security during third-party logistics. Apparel shipments frequently rely on contracted freight forwarders and common carriers, which limits direct control over individual truck modifications or driver vetting once goods leave manufacturing or distribution points. The SKIMS load in this case was entirely legitimate, yet its high volume and recognizable branding made it an attractive cover for smugglers targeting routine commercial routes.
The incident underscores vulnerabilities in global supply chains where sophisticated vehicle hides can bypass initial checks. Organized crime groups often exploit legitimate cargo to move Class A drugs across European ferry routes because commercial traffic receives predictable scrutiny levels. SKIMS, like many fast-growing direct-to-consumer brands, depends on efficient international shipping to meet demand, which inherently involves multiple handoffs that increase exposure even with strong contractual safeguards.
The successful prosecution at Chelmsford Crown Court on May 18 2026 demonstrates the effectiveness of combined Border Force and National Crime Agency intelligence. NCA Operations Manager Paul Orchard noted that corrupt drivers enable these operations by using everyday cargo as cover. Such busts disrupt supply chains and send a clear message to those tempted by quick smuggling payments. For more on the official investigation, visit the National Crime Agency announcement.
Broader patterns in European drug trafficking reveal increasing reliance on commercial transport routes. Truck drivers face pressure from criminal networks while legitimate businesses risk temporary reputational harm even when fully cleared. This case serves as a reminder of the constant vigilance required at major ports and the professional risks involved in cross-border haulage. Court documents from the sentencing remain available through standard UK Crown Court records for further public review. SKIMS details its transparency commitments at skims.com transparency page.
