Man walks straight into trouble when landing at Manchester Airport after picking up suitcase in Thailand
06.03.2024 - 12:29
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A drug mule was caught with 30 kilos of cannabis at Manchester Airport following a row over a boxing match. Mohammad Arif, 27, became involved in the smuggling plot after a 'dispute' related to a charity boxing bout, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Arif flew out to Thailand in December last year, and a week later returned with a suitcase containing 30 kilos of the class B drug. He was stopped at customs and detained.
Arif was paid £2,000, and his flights and accommodation during his stay in south east Asia were also covered. He refused to name who else had been involved in the scheme.
READ MORE: 'Don't tell no one... don't call the police', rapist hissed after she begged 'please don't kill me'
He arrived back in Manchester on December 21 on a flight via Dubai. Judge John Potter said that Arif had made 'little financial gain' from his part in the crime.
Arif had been 'given' the suitcase by 'others' while he was in Thailand. The 'large consignment' of drugs was discovered by customs officials as he tried to re-enter the UK at the airport.
Arif made 'admissions' in interview but refused to hand over his mobile phone or say who else had been involved. "The reason you had agreed to do it was because you had fallen into dispute, apparently, with others following a boxing contest in which you engaged," the judge said.
“As a consequence of that dispute you agreed to act as a drug courier to bring an end to the dispute. In Thailand you were given a suitcase by others. That suitcase contained a concealed consignment of some 30 kilos of cannabis."
Defending, Hugh Barton said that Arif had taken part in a 'charity boxing match' which had 'led to issues online'. He said that a video had since been posted on the internet showing men