Package containing almost £1,000 of cannabis arrives while police search defendant's home for drugs  

A package containing almost £1,000 worth of cannabis arrived at Kyle Morgan's home while police were in the process of searching the premises for drugs, a court heard.

A package containing almost £1,000 worth of cannabis arrived at Kyle Morgan's home while police were in the process of searching the premises for drugs, a court has heard.

Morgan, 23, of Queen Street, Lydney, had agreed to allow cannabis deliveries from abroad to his home on behalf of a man known only as 'Jake,' Gloucester Crown Court was told today.

Morgan, who had no previous criminal convictions, admitted two offences of evading the prohibition on the importation of illegal drugs and was sentenced to a 12 months community order with 150 hours of unpaid work.

Judge William Hart also ordered the confiscation of £1,084 from him under the Proceeds of Crime Act and ordered him to pay £200 costs

Prosecutor David Scutt said that on September 13 last year the UK Borders Agency intercepted a parcel addressed to Jake at Morgan's home and found it contained 100 grams of cannabis.

Then on October 12 when police went to the address with a search warrant finding a small amount of cannabis worth £8, a parcel arrived containing a far larger quantity.

"A parcel was delivered during the course of the search which was also addressed to Jake," said Mr Scutt.

"In the parcel, police found 91.4g of cannabis valued at £914. A number of identical empty bags were found in the premises."

Mr Scutt said that in a prepared statement to police, Morgan said the small amount of cannabis was for his own use and the package was for a friend called Jake who had asked if he could have mail delivered there.

Matthew Harbinson, defending, said Morgan committed the offences out of "naivety".

He said Morgan had no connection or influence with others higher up the chain.

"He is a young man who is highly unlikely to be troubling the courts again," said Mr Harbinson.

Judge Hart said he was "somewhat sceptical" about the truth of Morgan's explanation but it was not challenged by the prosecution and he therefore sentenced him on that basis.

"It is clear you are ashamed of yourself for having got into this position," said the judge.

http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Package-containing-1-000-cannabis-arrives-police/story-22849099-detail/story.html 30/08/2014