A Lewisham man attempted to smuggle 1.5kg of cocaine into the UK by swallowing 56 packages after he incurred a debt by damaging a boat in Jamaica.

Jamaican national Clayton Johnson, 52, of Downham Way, appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on November 5 where he received the eight years and three months prison sentence.

Johnson attempted to smuggle 1.5kg of cocaine from Jamaica in his stomach, his rectum and two specially modified pairs of shoes. 

He intended to sell the drugs to repay a £6,000 debt incurred by damaging a boat in Jamaica three and a half years ago. 

Johnson flew into Gatwick Airport from Jamaica on August 29, where he was taken aside for a search by border force officers, who initially discovered the hidden stash in his shoes.

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He was arrested for importing Class A drugs and subjected to a body scan, which revealed a number of packages inside his stomach.

The case was then passed on to the National Crime Agency

When questioned, Johnson admitted that he had arranged for packets of cocaine to be concealed in the soles of two pairs of shoes, that he had swallowed a further 56 packages and then stuffed four more in his rectum.

Johnson also admitted to previously attempting to smuggle cocaine from Jamaica to the UK in 2012.

On that occasion he swallowed packages of cocaine, but fell ill and was admitted to hospital where the packages were recovered.

Andy Noyes, Branch Commander, NCA said:  “This was not the first time that Clayton Johnson had attempted to smuggle cocaine into our country, and his sentence reflects his repeated efforts to break the law for financial gain.

“Swallowing these powerful drugs was incredibly dangerous, and could have caused great harm to Johnson; or if his venture had succeeded, to members of the public.

“By removing this cocaine from the market, the NCA and Border Force have prevented it from ending up on UK streets, where class A drugs fuel violence and exploitation

“We continue to work with partners to target and disrupt organised crime groups, and protect the public”