Two drug mules who were caught bringing cannabis worth £340,000 into Glasgow Airport have been handed lengthy jail terms.
Ng Zhan Yi and Vincent Chiamingsan were both refused entry at the immigration office at the Paisley-based airport on April 30 as Border Force were suspicious of their suitcases.
Cops searched the luggage and discovered 69 vacuum-sealed half-kilo packages of herbal cannabis weighing approximately 34.30kg.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard these drugs had as estimated retail value of approximately £343,080.
The procurator fiscal depute told the court: “On April 30, both men travelled from Thailand to Glasgow Airport via Dubai. Around 1.30pm, both men were refused entry at the immigration office. UK Border Force were suspicious of two black suitcases namely one branded Katao and another branded Safari.
“The two suitcases were checked in at Dubai airport under Ng Zhan Yi’s name. Both suitcases had luggage tags attached with the name Ng printed on them.”
The court heard Ng Zhan Yi, who is 33, denied the luggage belonged to him before advising airport officials it had been given to him at Dubai airport and he was “unaware of the contents”.
Chiamingsan, 31, identified the Katao suitcase and advised he was aware of its contents.
The prosecutor added: “Both suitcases were searched and police recovered 69 vacuum-sealed half-kilo packages of herbal cannabis. Specialist officers confirmed this was a supply quantity of the drug and that each half kilo package had a wholesale value of approximately £1,300. The total wholesale value of the 69 recovered packages is £159,900.
“However, they are of the view that should all of the cannabis be subdivided into the most commonly seen street deal which is a two-gram deal, the packages have the potential to realise a maximum retail value of approximately £343,080.
“Ng Zhan Yi was arrested and taken to Govan police office. In relation to charge one, his reply to caution and charge was, ‘at first, they told me the thing inside to bring in is a bird’s nest and they don’t allow us to check the bag in Thailand, when checking in, so in Thailand I met Vincent at the airport but they put both luggage in my name when it should be one Vincent and one me’.
“In relation to charge two, his reply was, ‘I have also been lied to by the people who said it was a bird’s nest, I do not know what was inside I never get any pay for this’.
“Chiamingsan was arrested, taken to Govan police station and made no reply to caution and charge.”
The duo, described as prisoners of Low Moss jail, Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire, admitted to being involved in the “fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on importation” of cannabis, and admitted to being concerned in the supply of cannabis, a Class-B drug.
Sheriff Gillian Craig jailed both men for a total of three years and four months.
Sineidin Corrins, deputy procurator fiscal for specialist casework, said: “These men failed in their attempt to import a significant quantity of drugs into Scotland.
“Justice has been served and these individuals are now serving prison sentences.
“I hope that these convictions and the sentences send a strong message to others involved in this kind of drug-trafficking behaviour and demonstrates the ability of police and prosecutors to investigate, prepare and prosecute crime of this nature.”
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