A man who borrowed money on his release from prison was then pressured into importing psychotropic drugs on behalf of others, a court heard.

Kevin Blackwood’s address was found on a package from the Netherlands intercepted by Revenue and Customs officers at a freight depot, on June 29.

Durham Crown Court heard that the package, bearing the logo ‘Fitness Club’, contained 1,925 doses of the psychedelic drug LSD, or ‘acid’.

A warrant was obtained for a search at his home address on July 6, when the defendant was found in bed.

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Lewis Kerr, prosecuting, said there were numerous packages lying about the bedroom and Blackwood told officers: “There are all sorts there.”

He said he was paid to hang onto those packages and was threatened to look after them.

Blackwood said he would repackage them and sell them on, for which he received £1,000.

He said he would launder money through crypto-currency accounts.

Mr Kerr said the defendant, “clearly had some link close to the source of the drugs” and would expect, “some financial gain.”

Blackwood made admissions in interview, and, at a recent plea hearing, the 43-year-old defendant, of Richardson Way, Consett, pleaded guilty to fraudulent evasion of a prohibition, in relation to the imported LSD.

He also admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis, plus three counts of being in possession of a drug with intent to supply, psilocin, brolamphetamine and ketamine, two bracketed in class A and one at class B.

The court heard he has eight convictions for ten offences, the last being 14-months in prison for a previous drug offence.

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Despite Mr Kerr’s prosecution case outline, Tony Davis, for Blackwood, said: “There’s no evidence he has a link to the original source.

“He played a limited function under direction of others.

“The entire case, if you accept what he said as to how he became involved in the first place, he was engaged through pressure and intimidation.

“I can’t advance that he got involved through naivety, but, plainly, he’s been exploited.

“Those that sought to gain money used their influence over him.

“His expectation of financial reward is limited.”

Mr Davis said the references he put before the court, on Blackwood’s behalf, “paint a picture as someone who has led a dual existence.

“On one hand, on his release from custody and borrowing the money he said he did has led him into the position he finds himself in.”

But Mr Davis said on the other hand the defendant has been involved in charitable organisations and has helped mentoring people, which he aims to continue.

Judge James Adkin said he was a dealer in speciality psychotropic substances and involved in importation.

“I have to sentence you on the basis you were in debt. You needed to pay off a debt you accrued.”

But the judge said he accepted he was being put under pressure by those to whom he owed money.

He imposed a total 31-month prison sentence, having deducted 11 months to reflect the defendant’s guilty pleas.

Proceeds of crime proceedings have now been put in place with a view to confiscation hearing in January next year.

Read next:

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              Ecstasy importer caught as he used his own address in online order

              York drug dealer foiled over Ecstasy import from Netherlands

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