A sombrero-carrying Durham drug smuggler who tried to bring almost £6 million of cocaine into the UK from Mexico has been jailed.
Kristopher Purvis was carrying a black suitcase and a bag of Mexican sombrero souvenir hats when he landed at Edinburgh Airport via Paris and was stopped by Border Force.
The 35-year-old was using the guise of an “innocuous tourist” and said he had only brought sombreros back from his trip - but was actually carrying 48 kilos of cocaine in his luggage.
The drugs would have been worth up to £5.64 million at street level.
Purvis appeared at Edinburgh High Court on the March 4 and pleaded guilty to the importation and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
Drug packages 'smeared in mustard'
On sentencing, Lord Summers said the drugs were contained in packages placed in two suitcases, which had been smeared with mustard.
He argued this was "no doubt to put sniffer dogs off the scent".
He said: "He is a first time offender and has shown remorse for his conduct and some insight into the serious nature of these offences.
"He has stated that he undertook the task of bringing these drugs into the country in order to repay a drug debt and that he was a cocaine user.
"I accept on the basis of the crown narrative that he did not organise the drugs operation in question and that his role was that of a drugs mule or courier."
He was sentenced at the same court today to 10 years in prison, with Lord Summers reducing the sentence of 15 years by one third due to his guilty plea.
A second man was also arrested at the time - but he pleaded not guilty to the above charges.
A trial date has been set for November 10 in relation to his involvement.
Donnie Lawrie, from the NCA, said: "Kristopher Purvis attempted to appear like an innocuous tourist and claimed to only be carrying sombrero souvenirs. The truth was, the luggage he was carrying contained millions of pounds worth of drugs.
"Purvis was used as a mule for the criminals keen to increase their profits when selling drugs on the streets of the UK.
“The NCA continues to work closely with UK Border Force, police forces and other law enforcement partners throughout the world to reduce the supply of Class A drugs intended for the UK market."
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Sands, Police Scotland, said: “This conviction and sentencing serves as yet another example of our ongoing commitment to target the supply and distribution of controlled drugs across Scotland, which remains an absolute priority for the Organised Crime Partnership and its partners.
"This intervention and subsequent detection disrupted an attempt to bring a significant volume of class A controlled drugs into the country."
"I would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that information from our local communities is an essential part of our investigations, as we work to disrupt the drugs trade and work with our partners to bring those responsible to justice."
Moira Orr, who leads on major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “This was a substantial attempt to bring significant quantities of illegal and harmful drugs through Scotland.
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"Kristopher Purvis has now been held accountable thanks to an extensive OCP Scotland and Border Force operation, working with COPFS, to investigate a network of drug supply.
"With each case of this kind we can help reduce the harm that these drugs inflict on communities.
"We are targeting all people who threaten communities across Scotland, not only drug couriers but also those who direct their movements."
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