A cocaine smuggler, was caught "red handed" with over £300,000 worth of the drug hidden in the lining of his luggage after stepping off a flight from the Caribbean, a jury were told today.
Simon Brown, 38, of Osmaston Park Road, Derby claims the suit carrier was given to him by "some geezer" in an Antigua nightclub and he was delivering it as a favour.
He has pleaded not guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to importing 1.86 kilos of 100% pure cocaine at Gatwick Airport on January 9, last year.
"The Crown say he was caught red handed with an enormous amount of cocaine and has given a ridiculous story," said prosecutor Mr. Mark Stern.
"That enormous quantity of cocaine was imported into this country by this defendant, hidden in the lining of a black suitcase."
Brown was stopped in the airport's south terminal ten days after he had jetted off to the Caribbean island.
"The defendant said he had been to Antigua for a holiday and had family there and his mother had bought the ticket.
"He said he had packed the suitcase and knew it was illegal to carry drugs," added Mr. Stern.
"All that was inside the case was an empty holdall, three tops and some smaller items, but it still felt heavy when emptied.
"An x-ray confirmed there were packages in the lining. One was spiked and the white powder inside tested positive for cocaine."
The total weight of the packages were 3.72 kilos, of which 1.86 kilos was 100% pure cocaine.
Enquiries revealed a 'Simon Brown' had bought the Virgin Atlantic tickets in cash.
When questioned Brown denied knowing the case contained hidden cocaine.
"He claimed he had been at a club called 'Mystique' for a new year's party and claimed he got the suit carrier from his cousin's friend.
"He said it was just: 'One of the geezer's' at club 'Mystique' added Mr. Stern. "He said he had been given a phone number to return the bag to this geezer's friend in London."
However, the prosecution claim the phone number was Brown's and there is no person in London expecting to receive the bag.
"That number belonged to this defendant, it was his bag, his drugs.
"There are also texts consistent with someone selling cocaine and those texts were found on this defendant's phone."
The trial continues………
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