A man who tried to smuggle thousands of pounds worth of drugs into the country by aeroplane has narrowly avoided prison.

Abdul Khan, 22, of Drake Road, Chafford Hundred, in Grays, admitted smuggling in 1kg of cannabis via Birmingham Airport.

Border Force officials intercepted a parcel containing the stash worth £10,000 at Birmingham Airport on March 2, 2022.

The package – delivered from an address in Los Angeles, California – had been destined for a property in Chesil Cottages, Wollaton, Nottingham.

He was arrested at the Nottingham address, and later charged with being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug.

Khan was jailed for 12 months, suspended for two years, when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court in March.

Superintendent Chris Pearson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are determined to do everything possible, working with partners like UK Border Force, to prevent illegal drugs from causing harm in our communities.

“This is another reminder that dealing drugs will not be tolerated in Nottingham and we will take positive action against anyone involved in this criminality.”

The drugs, concealed inside two sealed plastic bags (pictured), were seized and tests found they had a potential street value of nearly £10,000.

Nottinghamshire Police went on to execute a warrant at the Wollaton address, with neighbourhood officers discovering further quantities of cannabis along with cash, scales and a grinder.

Khan pleaded not guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class B drug and this charge was left to lie on file during his sentencing on Thursday, March 7.

He has been warned he faces prison if he commits another offence.