Alleged drugs smuggler ‘hid heroin inside her body’

A WOMAN hid £12,000 worth of heroin inside her body in a bid to smuggle it into Northern Ireland, the High Court has heard.

Police discovered the drugs secreted in her body after stopping a car on the A1 near Newry last month, prosecutors said.

Details emerged as bail was re- fused to a 35-year-old man who was driving the Seat vehicle.

John Goodman, of Tonagh Gardens in Lisburn, Co Antrim, faces charges of importing and possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

He was detained with his co-accused during an operation close to the border on August 23.

Full body searches were carried out on both of them, with nothing found on Goodman.

But Crown lawyer Natalie Pinkerton told the court a package containing several wraps of suspected heroin were discovered in the woman’s bra.

She added that a larger package containing around 135 grams of suspected heroin were found secreted inside her body.

The haul has an estimated street value of £12,000 — although that figure may change depending on purity.

During police interviews Goodman insisted he knew nothing about the drugs on his co-accused.

Forensic tests are still to be carried out on packaging recovered during the operation.

Defence counsel argued that unless any DNA link is made Goodman will probably be acquitted of the charges.

“It would be virtually impossible to prove (his) knowledge (of the drugs),” the barrister contended.

Lord Justice Stephens was also urged to release Goodman from custody due to a serious medical complaint.

But denying bail, the judge cited the risk of further offending.