Paul Barrett, 38, of Ormskirk, has been handed a suspended sentence after customs officers at Newcastle Airport found him carrying drugs on a Jet2 flight from Faro. He had arrived around 2pm on May 4 this year and was stopped after collecting his suitcase from the carousel.
Prosecutor Neil Jones said: "He confirmed he was a solo traveller and all of the bags were his own." When asked about the contents of the suitcase, Barrett replied: "I'm going to be honest with you, I'm carrying some weed. I've got a debt I owe."
Drugs found in suitcase
Officers discovered four packages containing 20.5kg of cannabis resin and a further package holding 1.12kg of ketamine. The wholesale value of the haul was £80,000, but it would have been worth far more once broken down into individual deals.
Barrett gave a prepared statement saying he was an army veteran with PTSD and that cocaine and gambling addictions had taken hold since he left the army. He has 18 previous convictions, including possession of cocaine with intent to supply in 2023, for which he received a suspended sentence, as well as convictions for being concerned in the supply of ketamine, possessing cocaine and drug driving.
Guilty plea and defence
Barrett, of Southport Road, Ormskirk, pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the fraudulent evasion on the prohibition on the importation of cannabis and ketamine.
Chris Knox, defending, said: "He understands what a mess he has made by getting involved in drugs. He very much gets the message and he understands almost all of his difficulties in relation to the courts have arisen from his involvement with drugs. He is desperate to get back to the care of his children and he has a job offer and the employment involves him being subjected to drug tests."
Suspended sentence
Judge Sarah Mallet told Barrett, who had been remanded in custody, that she would give him "one last chance" and imposed an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years, with 100 hours of unpaid work.
Appearing in court via video-link from prison, Barrett said: "Thank your for the opportunity ma'am and I won't let you down. I'm thinking of my children." After being told he would be released today, he was heard shouting "get in there" as he left the video-link room.
