Lorry driver Anthony Gordon, 50, of Brisbane Road, Ilford pleaded guilty to smuggling thirty kilos of cannabis at Gatwick Airport on Christmas Eve, last year.
Prosecutor Miss Shekinah Anson told Croydon Crown Court the defendant was stopped by UK Border Agency officers as he tried to connect with a Manchester flight and his luggage searched.
“Food items were found shaped like sweets and tested positive for cannabis.
“In a statement he said he was kidnapped and blindfolded in Jamaica by a gang of seven masked armed men and was ordered to carry the drugs or he and his family would be in danger.”
Gordon's lawyer Adam James said: “That account is not an issue he wishes to put forward and he accepts his responsibility.
“His financial difficulties got worse and he was offered the opportunity of going to Jamaica.
“He turned a blind eye to the offer of a free holiday and once there the true cost of the holiday became clear.”
The father-of-three was £8,000 in debt when he agreed to smuggle the drugs, added the lawyer. “He could have turned it down, but thought it was an opportunity to clear his debts.”
Judge Stephen Waller told Gordon: “You had two suitcases that contained food items and it is clear they concealed cannabis and customs were suspicious.
“I read the statement of your kidnap and blindfolding by masked armed men with incredulity.
“You got into debt and were prepared to take the risk and I will treat you as a courier motivated by financial gain.”
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