A MAN has been jailed for trying to import thousands of ecstasy tablets into the UK via the postal system in a deal arranged over Snapchat. 

The National Crime Agency (NCA) was notified by Border Force officers at Birmingham Airport that a parcel containing 29,000 green skull shaped tablets had been intercepted. 

It had been sent from the Netherlands and was addressed to Airdrie man Marshall Scurfield who at the time lived in Coniston Avenue, Hebburn, South Tyneside.

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The tablets later tested positive for MDMA and had an estimated street value of £140,000. 

As part of the investigation the tablets were removed and a dummy package was sent to Scurfield, who had been receiving parcel tracking updates via Snapchat.

The 22-year-old was arrested by NCA officers on February 25, 2022, after being observed accepting the package.

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When questioned Scurfield admitted he had agreed to accept the parcel to settle a drugs debt, and that arrangements for its delivery had been made using Snapchat.

He was charged with importing class A drugs and admitted the offence at Newcastle Crown Court on July 2 this year.

He was sentenced to four years imprisonment at the same court today (December 3).

Martin Clarke, NCA branch commander, said: "Marshall Scurfield attempted to import dangerous class A drugs into the UK and thought that by using the postal system he would escape attention from law enforcement.

"Working with our colleagues at Border Force, we were able to prevent a sizeable quantity of ecstasy from making it to our streets, where it would have created exploitation and violence.

"We continue to pursue and dismantle high harm organised crime networks behind smuggling attempts like these."