A Pulrose man has been jailed for 13 months for drug trafficking and money laundering.

Gary Foulis, of Oak Avenue, tried to post £7,980 worth of drug money to an address in Liverpool.

More than £6,000 of cannabis was found at his home during a police search.

Foulis told police he had been paid £500 to post the cash and store the cannabis at his house by a man he refused to name.

The 47-year-old, who has two previous convictions for drug trafficking and one for money laundering, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply and acquiring criminal property.

Deemster Alastair Montgomerie told him: ’You’re now 47 years of age. Isn’t it about time you put your drug trafficking and money laundering days behind you? If nothing else think of your partner, she’s a victim.

’By some miracle she’s going to stand by you.

’Make sure this is the last time you have anything to do with drugs or the proceeds of drug trafficking.’

Earlier, prosecutor Richard Butters told the Court of General Gaol Delivery how police were called to the Post Office sorting office on December 7 after a suspicious package was intercepted after being X-rayed.

package

Inside the package was a large quantity of cash, vacuum-packed between two newspapers. The package was addressed to a location in Liverpool and the sender was detailed as Gary Foulis, Oak Avenue.

Foulis was arrested at home and a search of the property found a grinder, cash and cannabis. He told police the drugs were for his own use and he used the scales to stop himself over-consuming.

The total value of the drugs found at Foulis’ home was £6,096 with a weight of 304.8 grams.

When quizzed about the cash posted he gave a ’no comment’ reply.

CCTV footage showed Foulis posting the cash at Windsor Road post office in Douglas.

Foulis told the cashier, who was suspicious of him, that he was posting Christmas cards.

He was re-interviewed after being shown the CCTV footage and admitted he knew the contents of the package were ’iffy’. Foulis said he was ’skint’ so he accepted £500 to post the package. He responded with ’no comment’ when asked who had paid him.

cannabis

Regarding the drugs at his house, Foulis said he was keeping them for a person he would not name. He said the owner of the drugs would pay him in cannabis and collect them at unscheduled dates and times.

The court heard Foulis was jailed in 2002 for supplying class A drugs. He was jailed in 2011 for removing criminal property, namely cash, from the island and in 2009 for possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Advocate Jane Gray said: ’Mr Foulis’ last similar conviction was some eight years ago. He has managed to turn his life around.

’At the time of this offence he had moved into his partner’s address. He had been claiming benefits, however after moving he wasn’t able to claim. He found he had limited financial means and when this opportunity came along unfortunately he made this decision, thinking he’d earn £500.

’Following his arrest it gave him he says a "huge kick up the backside" and he was able to obtain work. He has been employed for the past five months.’

The court heard Foulis’ employer had provided a ’glowing’ reference and were willing to keep open his position for him.

Deemster Montgomerie said: ’Don’t take it personally Mr Foulis but I really, really don’t want to see you again.’