Smugglers jailed over cannabis in suitcases

TWO DRUG-SMUGGLERS have been jailed after police found cannabis worth £130,000 in their suitcases when they were intercepted at a Yorkshire airport.

Rune Hoglund and Michelle Hallissey were arrested next to the carousel in the baggage reclamation area as they waited for their luggage at Leeds Bradford Airport after getting off a flight from Alicante, Spain.

Leeds Crown Court heard the suitcases had been intercepted and searched. Hallissey’s bag contained 6kg of skunk cannabis. Hoglund’s bag contained 7kg of the same drug. Carmel Pearson, prosecuting, said the drugs had a street value of up to £130,000 and a wholesale value of £58,000. The pair were interviewed and denied knowing each other.

An investigation revealed that their travel tickets had been booked using the same credit card. Hoglund, 31, and Hallissey, 44, pleaded guilty to being concerned in carrying prohibited goods.

Hoglund, a Swedish national, told police during interview that he had been told to transport the drugs on behalf of a man called ‘Slim’.

Lorraine Harris, for Hallissey, said the mother of three came from the South of England but lived in Spain with her partner and children.

Miss Harris said she had been struggling financially at the time of the offence and had been asked by others to take the suitcase to the UK. She added that Hallissey thought the case contained illegal cigarettes.

The court heard Hoglund had also been suffering from financial problems and had agreed to travel with the drugs for £500.

Hoglund was jailed for 22 months and Hallissey was jailed for 20 months.

Judge Simon Phillips QC said: “You were both motivated, undoubtedly, by financial gain.”