Man tried to send drug by post and covered up smell with air freshener

A DERBYSHIRE man tried to send cannabis through the post and attempted to cover up the smell with air freshener.

Samuel Martin was caught after sharp-nosed staff at his post office became suspicious of the package he was trying to send to a friend in Yorkshire on April 2 last year.

Instead of sending it, staff called police who found the drugs inside and the 32-year-old was arrested. When police later investigated his home in Noskwith Street, Ilkeston, they found various amounts of cannabis worth a total of around £520.

Martin appeared at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday, charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled class B drug.

Sarah Allen, prosecuting, said Martin, who works as a medical courier, had been easily identified at the post office.

She said: “The defendant went into a Post Office with a package which contained 27.08 grams of cannabis. It also contained air freshener. It was posted to a friend of his in Yorkshire.

“Staff became suspicious of the package and handed it to the police. He had been captured on CCTV.”

When spoken to by police, Martin claimed he was not receiving payment for sending the drugs and had sent them to cheer up his friend who was going through a tough time.

Police went on to search his home on May 17, last year, where they found more cannabis.

Ms Allen said there was some flowering cannabis with a value of £90 to £100 and remaining cannabis with a value of around £420. Martin said had no intention of supplying it and it was for his own use.

Martin admitted possession with intent to supply a controlled class B drug and possession of a controlled class B drug, which was accepted by the prosecution.

David Outterside, mitigating, told the court his client was of good character having had no previous convictions.

He said: “This is an isolated incident, sending an ounce of cannabis in the post to a friend, not for profit. It’s incredibly naïve. He pleaded guilty at the earliest possible stage.”

Recorder Stuart Sprawson told Martin he had made a “misguided, foolish, completely nonsensical” decision.

He said: “I have little doubt you thought you intention was good. What has ended up is you being caught red handed trying to disguise it with some sort of scent you put in the envelope.

“You were cooperative with the police. You emphasised you were doing this for social support as opposed to anything financial. You have shown remorse, you have pleaded guilty and you are of good character.

“The [probation] report reflects somebody who has made a disastrous mistake. If you haven’t learned your lesson from amount of time this has been hanging over your head then you’re a fool.”

Recorder Sprawson fined Martin £400, and ordered him to pay £235 in costs and a £100 statutory charge, to be paid by June 14.

It’s incredibly naïve. He pleaded guilty at the earliest possible stage. David Outterside, mitigating