A 31-year old man who was involved in a major drug case has been jailed for a total of five years by Deemster Doyle at a court of General Jail.

Martin Maddox from Tranmere near Birkenhead admitted six offences of assisting another to conceal the benefits of drug trafficking and one of importing cannabis resin.

Stuart Peters reports

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Linda Watt, prosecuting, said following bank records being obtained from Lloyds TSB on the Island and in Birkenhead, Maddox was arrested in Birkenhead and brought to the Island.

Between July 2005 and November 2006, a total of ?9,740 was paid into Maddox's account by a person in the Isle of Man. His advocate said the defendant had sent 22 nine ounce bars of cannabis to the Island, and he was paid between ?400 and ?450 for each bar.

Maddox became involved out of desperation - not greed - said his advocate, and he deeply regretted becoming involved.

Deemster Doyle said the defendant was deeply engaged in the importation of drugs and assisting another to conceal the benefits, but he accepted the offences were committed out of desperation and not greed.