Man jailed for trying to smuggle £400,000 of drugs

6 hours ago

South West Regional Organised Crime Unit Paul West's police custody picture. He has a short haircut and stubbly beard.

A man has been sentenced after attempting to import more than £400,000 worth of drugs into the UK.

Paul West, 37, from Sunderland, was arrested by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) after he attempted to smuggle 42kg (92lb) of cannabis through Bristol Airport from Canada via Dublin.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import Class B drugs and was sentenced to 28 months in prison at Bristol Crown Court on Friday 19 December.

“West’s admission to this conspiracy shows he was part of a wider organised crime group utilising passenger flights to bring drugs into the UK from countries where it is grown legally,” said DS Stuart Cumine of SWROCU.

South West Regional Organised Crime Unit A vacuum sealed bag of cannabis concealed in another bag.

“West’s prison sentence should serve as a reminder that the importation of drugs is a serious offence and one not worth the risk,” he added.

Police estimated the total value of the cannabis West was attempting to smuggle as “at least £420,000”.

SWROCU thanked “the vigilance” of the UK Border Force for helping to make the arrest.

Cannabis is regulated and legal for recreational use in Canada but remains illegal in many other countries around the world, including the UK and Ireland.