A drugs mule who attempted to smuggle £5.6m worth of cocaine into the UK from Mexico told Border Force officials he had only brought sombreros back from his trip.
Kristopher Purvis, 35, was caught with 15 packages containing the class A drug at Edinburgh Airport in July 2024.
Purvis, from Durham, had flown into the Scottish city with another man following a brief layover at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said Purvis and his companion were stopped by Border Force officers as they made their way through the airport’s nothing-to-declare channel.
The pair each had a suitcase, with Purvis also carrying a plastic bag containing four sombreros.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) said Purvis told the officials he had returned to the UK with only the souvenir hats.
However, a search of his luggage led to the discovery of eight vacuum-sealed plastic packages.
Man charged with murder of grandfather who was shot dead in County Durham home
County Durham: Murder investigation launched after man, 60, shot through window
Two arrested after man shot dead in Stanley, County Durham
A further seven were recovered from Purvis’ travelling companion’s case.
The 15 packages were each found to contain around three kilos of cocaine, which had an average purity of 52%.
COPFS said the maximum street value of the total haul was up to £5,640,000.
When Purvis was cautioned, he reportedly replied: “It’s all mine, my mate had nothing to do with it. I put it in his case.”
Read more from Sky News:
Bodycam footage of Gene Hackman’s home released
Ex-snooker champion in court accused of child sex abuse
Follow our channel and never miss an update.
Purvis last month pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the ban on importing controlled drugs.
He returned to the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday, where he was jailed for 10 years.
A second man arrested alongside Purvis pleaded not guilty to the same charges. He is due to stand trial this November.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
Donnie Lawrie, from the NCA, said: “Kristopher Purvis attempted to appear like an innocuous tourist and claimed to only be carrying sombrero souvenirs. The truth was, the luggage he was carrying contained millions of pounds worth of drugs.
“Purvis was used as a mule for the criminals keen to increase their profits when selling drugs on the streets of the UK.
“The NCA continues to work closely with UK Border Force, police forces and other law enforcement partners throughout the world to reduce the supply of class A drugs intended for the UK market.”
