'It should have been clothes, bro': Man jailed after suitcases checked at Manchester Airport

A drug mule was stopped at Manchester Airport with 36 kilos of cannabis hidden in suitcases.

Shawn Ross, 28, had travelled from his hometown of California to Charlotte, USA, then onto Madrid before he was stopped in Manchester in April this year. He had previously visited Manchester less than a month before and Border Force staff grew suspicious due to how close together the trips were.

Ross was detained after telling officials he planned a two-night stay in Manchester before heading to London to see friends. But concerns were raised when he revealed no further travel arrangements had been made, reports the Manchester Evening News..

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Ross claimed to have only one piece of hand luggage and one suitcase in the hold, but further investigations uncovered two hard shell suitcases with his name on, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor David Lees said: “He denied they were his, but then walked back to the customs having told officers he didn’t have anything to declare. He was then taken to the customs search room.”

His passport was verified as legitimate. Ross denied the bags belonged to him and insisted they belonged to a friend and later stated he didn't know the contents of the suitcases and the code to open them.

“He said he knew it was illegal to bring controlled drugs into the UK and denied carrying anything of that nature,” the prosecutor continued.

In the black hard shell suitcase, officers found 33 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis, while a red suitcase contained 37. The total haul amounted to 70 packages, weighing 36.4 kilograms. It was said to be worth around £6,000 per kilogram meaning the drugs were worth approximately £200,000.

When questioned by officers, Ross said: "It should have been clothes, bro."

He was arrested and gave a prepared statement to officers from the National Crime Agency, in which he said he had come to the UK to build contacts for work.

"The defendant said he was carrying suitcases for a colleague, and said he believed they contained clothes and items for work," Mr Lees added. It was noted that Ross had no previous convictions either in the UK or abroad.

Richard Vardon, mitigating, described his client as 'polite, articulate and intelligent' according to references.

"He said in his own words, that this was a 'big mistake that will never be repeated'. He comes from a decent family, he has a good work ethic and there is genuine regret and remorse," Mr Vardon added.

Mr Vardon highlighted that his client had no control over "those above him" and was merely following orders.

Judge Elliott Knopf, stated: "Drugs are a big problem in this country and in yours. Others are making big money off this sort of activity - there is a market for this stuff. It’s quite clear you knew what you were about.”

Ross, of California, was jailed for 30 months. The judge added that there was a likelihood that he may be deported back to the United States after serving his sentence.

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