Drug smuggler jailed for airport cannabis haul
BBCA drug smuggler caught at an airport with 25kg (4st) of cannabis in his suitcases has been jailed for two years.
Ivan Dyer was stopped by customs officers at Newcastle International Airport at about 10:30 GMT on 10 November after travelling in from Thailand, China and Singapore, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
He claimed he was importing the drug to get £8,000 for an engagement ring, the court heard.
Dyer, from Sheldon in Birmingham, admitted being concerned in the importation of a Class B drug.
The 43-year-old, who had previous convictions for supplying drugs, robbery and a "taxing" raid on an illegal cannabis farm run by rivals, landed at Newcastle from Paris, prosecutor Michael Bunch said.
He told customs officers he had been travelling in Bangkok and Singapore, with a luggage label suggesting he had also visited Shanghai, the court heard.
'Took a risk'
Dyer, of Garretts Green Lane, was carrying two suitcases, both of which were scanned and found to contain a total of 50 packages, each containing 500g (1lb) of cannabis.
While his bags were being searched, he became visibly upset and told officers he had been getting money to buy an engagement ring, Mr Bunch said.
In mitigation, the court heard there was "naivety" on Dyer's part and the eight-day trip was his first out of Europe, and he had been told there were no customs officers at Newcastle Airport.
Recorder Alistair MacDonald KC said Dyer "knew exactly what [he was] doing" and had "significant awareness" he was involved in a "substantial" illegal operation.
"You took a risk, you've been caught," the judge said.
Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].