Police arrested 36-year-old Richard Cain from Prestwich in Manchester at the Isle of Man Airport in January after sniffer dogs identified his bag on the arrivals conveyor belt as suspicious.[1] Officers noticed Cain appeared nervous and pale while he waited in the baggage reclaim area.[1] Cain was arrested after he collected the hard-shell suitcase from the conveyor belt in the baggage reclaim area.[1] Cain pleaded guilty to importing cannabis to the island and possessing the drug with intent to supply.[1][2] Douglas Courthouse jailed Cain for three years and four months for the cannabis importation.[1] Deemster Graeme Cook also banned Cain from returning to the island for five years following his release.[1][2]
Officers broke open the suitcase lock to reveal more than 11lbs (5kgs) of cannabis inside.[1] The cannabis in the suitcase was reported as worth more than £116,000.[1] Officers were carrying out airport checks as part of Operation Fortress when sniffer dogs identified the hard shell suitcase.[1][2]
Deemster Cook said the quantity meant there must be some links to organised crime.[1] Prosecutors said Cain was unlikely to have obtained such a large amount without being linked to a larger organised crime group.[1] Cain told police he had previously carried money to and from the island but said this was his first time transporting drugs.[1] His defence advocate said he became involved after getting into debt to fuel a cocaine addiction.[1]