Newcastle Airport drugs courier tried to import 25 kilos of cannabis to buy partner engagement ring
by Rob Kennedy · ChronicleLiveA drugs courier tried to import 25 kilos of cannabis through Newcastle Airport so he could afford to buy his partner an engagement ring.
Ivan Dyer was stopped coming through Newcastle Airport on November 10 this year after arriving on a flight from Paris, having been to Bangkok, Singapore and Shanghai. Newcastle Crown Court heard an X-ray machine showed there was suspicious material in two suitcases he had.
Having initially said he had packed the cases, when the drugs were found he said he hadn't. A total of 25 kilos of cannabis was found in 50 500g packages.
Prosecutor Michael Bunch told the court: "While he was being dealt with by Border Force, the defendant became upset, saying he committed the offence to be able to afford an engagement ring for his partner." He told the probation service he had expected to be paid £8,000 on arrival in Newcastle with the drugs.
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The 43-year-old, of Garretts Green Lane, Sheldon, Birmingham, has 61 previous convictions, including for supplying cannabis in 1997, a robbery, and an aggravated burglary and firearms offence in 2016, in which he and others "taxed" a cannabis farm, for which he was jailed for nine-and-a-half years.
He has been recalled on licence for that offence and now he has been jailed for two years after he admitted being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of cannabis
Jonathan Pigford, defending, said: "He travelled on his passport in his name and left it to chance whether he was caught. He had never been further than Spain and this was an opportunity to go on holiday outside of Europe - it was an eight day holiday.
"He had never been to Newcastle Airport. He thought there would be no Border Force there, which perhaps speaks of his naivety."
Mr Pigford said Dyer is annoyed at upset at landing himself back in prison and letting down people who are important to him.
After the case, Martin Clarke, a National Crime Agency Branch Commander, said: "The organised crime gangs behind the cannabis smuggling trade only care about making a profit, and have a complete disregard for the couriers doing their bidding.
“Anyone caught bringing cannabis into the UK can face up to 14 years in prison, so those contemplating such a journey should seriously consider the consequences.
"We continue to work with our partners at home, including Border Force, and those abroad to disrupt this trade and eradicate the business model being used."
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