Two caught trying to smuggle £600,000 of cannabis into Scotland at Glasgow Airport

Two men were caught trying to smuggle £600,000 of cannabis into Scotland in their suitcases.

George Manton, 19, and Jamaal Darbasie, 27, were stopped by Border Force officials having landed at Glasgow Airport off a flight from Toronto on March 10 2024.

They confirmed being in Canada for six days and had travelled together.

Prosecutor David McDonald told the High Court in Glasgow the pair stated they were “fully aware” of the contents of their luggage and that anything inside belonged to them.

The four cases were opened after the officers cut open padlocks to get access.

Mr McDonald said: “A total of 30 vacuum-sealed bags were found within each.”

Manton and Darbasie were eventually arrested.

The court heard a bag from each case was checked and tested positive for cannabis.

Mr McDonald said there was a total of 60kg of cannabis seized during the smuggling attempt.

The haul had a potential value of more than £590,000.

Manton and Darbasie, both of Harlow, Essex, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of the class B drug.

Duncan McPhie, defending Manton, made no motion to continue bail for him.

Darbasie’s lawyer Janice Green asked for him not to be locked up pending sentencing to allow him time to sort out a personal matter.

Lord Arthurson said with “considerable hesitation” he would allow Darbasie to remain on bail, but that he must surrender his passport as well as sign on twice a week at a local police station.

The pair are due to be sentenced on May 28 in Edinburgh.