Kim Kardashian's billion-dollar underwear empire, Skims, has become embroiled in a shocking international drug trafficking case after authorities allegedly discovered $8.4 million worth of cocaine hidden inside a shipment carrying the fashion brand's products.
According to the New York Post, Border Force officers uncovered roughly 198 pounds of cocaine concealed in a truck transporting Skims underwear and clothing through the UK.
The drugs were allegedly hidden alongside 28 pallets of legitimate merchandise from Kardashian's wildly popular shapewear brand, which has become a major force in the fashion industry since launching in 2019.
Polish truck driver Jakub Jan Konkel was later sentenced to 13 and a half years in prison after the massive haul was discovered at the Port of Harwich in Essex last September.
Officials reportedly stopped the vehicle after it arrived from the Netherlands before conducting a detailed inspection using X-ray scanning equipment.
Authorities allegedly discovered the cocaine hidden inside a specially modified compartment built into the rear doors of the truck.
Investigators said the concealed packages contained dozens of one-kilogram blocks of cocaine with an estimated street value of approximately $8.4 million.
Despite sensational headlines linking Kardashian's famous fashion label to the case, officials stressed that neither Skims nor anyone connected to its exporters or importers was accused of wrongdoing.
Border Force Officers Allegedly Uncovered Hidden Drugs during a Truck Inspection
According to court proceedings, Konkel initially denied any knowledge of the narcotics after officers uncovered the concealed packages during the border inspection, as per The U.S. Sun.
However, prosecutors claimed he later admitted that he had agreed to transport the cocaine in exchange for around 4,500 euros.
Investigators alleged that the driver had collected the drugs during a stop along his route before hiding them inside the modified compartment of the truck.
Officials said the concealment appeared sophisticated and carefully planned, intended to move the shipment through the UK without detection.
The discovery reportedly came only after authorities conducted an extensive scan of the vehicle, revealing suspicious objects hidden within the rear doors.
The bizarre connection between a celebrity underwear brand and a multimillion-dollar cocaine bust quickly sparked widespread reaction online.
Founded by Kardashian in 2019, Skims quickly became one of the most successful celebrity-backed fashion brands in the world.
The brand became known for its inclusive sizing, body-focused marketing campaigns, and viral social media presence.
Skims has since expanded far beyond shapewear into underwear, basics, and loungewear collections worn by celebrities and consumers worldwide.
Officials describe the Seizure as a Major Blow to Organized Crime Networks
Following the sentencing, law enforcement officials reportedly praised the operation and described the seizure as a major victory against organized crime.
Border Force Assistant Director Jason Thorn said cocaine trafficking causes significant harm to communities and fuels dangerous criminal activity.
Officials also noted that criminal groups frequently attempt to hide illegal substances inside legitimate commercial shipments in order to avoid suspicion during transport.
Fashion and retail deliveries are often considered attractive targets for smugglers due to the high volume of products constantly moving across international borders.
While Kardashian's globally recognized underwear label became an unexpected part of the scandalous headlines, authorities repeatedly emphasized throughout the investigation that the Skims shipment itself was entirely legitimate and that the company was not implicated in the smuggling operation.
