A judge has highlighted a drug trade between Spain and Ireland, with couriers travelling through Holyhead in north Wales.

Judge Huw Daniel, sitting at Mold Crown Court, sent a man found smuggling nearly 50 kilos of cannabis in three suitcases to prison for three years.

It was estimated that the eventual street value of the cannabis, found in nine ounce bars, was more than £170,000.

Defendant James McMorrow, 29, of Sligo, Eire, admitted a smuggling charge and said that he had done it because he had been threatened over debts.

McMorrow, who had been living in Spain for eight months, had been paid £70 expenses and was due to be paid a further £3,000 when the drugs were successfully delivered to Dublin.

But he was caught as he tried to drive on board ship at Holyhead.

Judge Daniel said that there appeared to be an active drug trade between Spain and Ireland and it was clear that the defendant was a courier in a well-organised trip.

'Carefully organised'

He was to be paid a substantial sum, he had contact numbers and a mobile telephone, and there was a false passport.

"This was carefully organised," he said.

But he had been caught thanks to the vigilence of special branch at Holyhead, the judge said.

"It is right that you admitted your guilt when caught, not that you had much choice carrying that sort of amount around with you in three suitcases."

Prosecuting barrister Mr Andrew Green told how when interviewed the defendant said that he was in debt and there had been threats not only to himself, but also to his pregnant girlfriend and child.

Defending barrister Miss Anna Price said that her client had started a landscaping business in Spain and had borrowed money from those who were not terribly tolerant when it came to paying the money back.

Following the case, North Wales Police said it operated a "vigilant" policy on drug trafficking.

"A number of specific operations and routine checks have resulted in over £3.5m worth of drugs seized in the last year," a police statement explained.

"North Wales Police are aware of the potential use of Holyead port for illegal smuggling activities and work with other agencies in this country and abroad to prevent and detect offences."