A Liverpool man has admitted trying to smuggle criminal cash totalling £3,270 off the island.

Louis Anthony Moran also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, after being arrested at the Sea Terminal on September 29.

The 23-year-old was committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery for sentencing.

Prosecuting advocate Harry Bellis told the court that Moran travelled to the island as a foot passenger from Liverpool on September 28.

The next morning he was at the Sea Terminal at 8.30am, intending to board the ferry to Heysham.

Moran was stopped for a routine check and claimed he’d been visiting his aunt here, but when quizzed further, couldn’t say where she lived.

This resulted in him being detained for a drug search.

A wrap containing 0.89 grams of cannabis was found.

Officers also found an envelope concealed in his trouser leg, containing the £3,270.

Moran, who lives at Saint Alexander Close, said: ‘3k, wouldn’t go to jail for three grand would you?’

Videos and messages were found on his phone.

A video from September 28, was filmed in the ferry toilets, and showed small egg-like packages being handled.

Messages discussed placing packages in the rectum and a reference to a ‘wage’.

Mr Bellis said it’d been suspected that drugs had been brought to the island, but there had not been enough evidence for a further charge.

Defence advocate Helen Lobb said that any accusation regarding drugs could not be taken into account, as her client had not been charged with that.

Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood said that she would have accepted summary court jurisdiction, had it not been for the need for a confiscation order to be made for the cash, which can only be made at the higher court.

Moran will appear there on October 9 and is remanded.