Drug trafficker caught smuggling cocaine in food tins

A drug trafficker has been jailed after trying to smuggle £300,000 worth of cocaine into the UK in tins of dried milk powder.

Michael Kellar, 58, was arrested at Birmingham Airport after the tins found in his luggage, contained almost four kilos of cocaine. He was held by Border Force officers after arriving on a flight from Jamaica.

It was the second time Kellar had been arrested over importing drugs in tins after he was previously held at Gatwick Airport five years ago.

£300,000 worth of cocaine was found in the tins of dried milk powder. Credit: BPM Media

In 2012, the suitcase in Gatwick was found abandoned on the baggage carousel and had Kellar's name on it but he was nowhere to be seen.

Officers found tins of fruit punch inside that suitcase containing 4.7 kilos of liquid cocaine with a potential street value of £375,000.

Kellar was arrested and questioned over this incident a year later but denied any knowledge. With no drugs in his possession no further evidence, he was not charged at the time and later left the country.

Previously Kellar had been arrested over importing drugs in fruit tins. Credit: BPM Media

Following his arrest at Birmingham Airport earlier this year, he was subsequently charged in connection with both offences.

Michael Kellar of Park Road in Bilston in Wolverhampton, was found guilty following a six day trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

He has been was sentenced to 13 years in prison.