By Arrest at Newcastle Airport
A 59-year-old lorry driver was caught with 17kg of cannabis hidden in his suitcase as he returned from holiday in Thailand. Barry Hunt, of Skellow Road, Carcroft, in Doncaster, was stopped at Newcastle International Airport on June 11 this year.
Prosecutor Freddie Adams told Newcastle Crown Court that Hunt was spotted walking through Customs at around 10pm. He had flown from Thailand via Paris and was carrying one suitcase, which had been in the hold.
Hunt was questioned by an immigration officer about his hold bag. He said he had packed the suitcase himself, was fully aware of the contents, and was not carrying it for anyone else.
When the bag was searched, officers found 17kg of cannabis hidden inside. Hunt was arrested at the airport.
He was later interviewed by the National Crime Agency. The court heard that his account of what had happened changed a number of times during questioning.
Changing Stories and Guilty Plea
Hunt ultimately maintained he was given the bag by unknown people in Thailand. He pleaded guilty to one count of importing controlled drugs.
Lorraine Mustard, defending, said Hunt pleaded guilty on the basis he was given the drugs by an unknown male in Thailand. She said he had no past convictions.
Ms Mustard told the court Hunt went on holiday because he had not been away for some time. He was given the opportunity to use a villa where other rooms were used by various people.
She said those people only made themselves known to Hunt shortly before his departure. They removed his suitcase and provided him with another one.
The court heard that Hunt told a number of different stories about how he ended up with the drugs before settling on his final account.
Suspended Sentence
Judge Stephen Earl gave Hunt a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with 300 hours of unpaid work. The sentencing took place at Newcastle Crown Court.
The judge described Hunt as a foolish man. He said: “You’re a very foolish man for a number of reasons that I can think of but, perhaps, you have already been there before me.”
Judge Earl also remarked on Hunt’s profession, saying: “A long distance lorry driver is usually not a stupid man.”
The suspended sentence means Hunt will not go to prison unless he breaches its terms within the 18-month period.
The case followed an investigation by the National Crime Agency after the seizure at Newcastle Airport.
