A man who lost a poker game in Thailand and tried to smuggle more than 20kg of cannabis into the UK has avoided prison time. Caught at Manchester Airport with two large suitcases full of the drug, Archie Payne claimed he was pressured into transporting the cannabis after racking up gambling debt.
discovered the contents worth £60,000 ($80,884) wholesale when they searched his luggage
Payne received a suspended sentence after being arrested in September upon his return from Bangkok. Payne claimed at the time that he believed the suitcases contained cigarettes rather than the Class B drug. Officers discovered the contents worth £60,000 ($80,884) wholesale when they searched his luggage.
Payne remained in custody for two months after his arrest at the airport. He will have a 22-month suspended prison sentence and will need to complete drug-related rehab and serve 200 hours of community service.
