A DRUG smuggler tried to bring nearly £5 million worth of cannabis into the UK.

Spanish national Fernando Jacobo Mayans Fusters has been jailed for more than three years after admitting to importing 160kg of the class B drug.

The 51-year-old was arrested at Manchester Airport on May 1 after Border Force officers discovered 278 packages in eight separate bags.

Mayans Fuster, from Zaragoza, had flown to Manchester from Los Angeles, via London Heathrow, with his three children, aged 11 to 15.

Three of the bags had been checked in under his children's names.

278 packages were found in eight suitcases278 packages were found in eight suitcases (Image: NCA)

Mayans Fuster was arrested by officers from the National Crime Agency and confirmed he had been in the USA for 10 days, that he lived in Spain, and a friend had given him the suitcases, adding ‘I’m in a lot of trouble’.

In total, just under 160kg of cannabis was recovered, with an estimated street value of £4.8 million if sold in the UK.

Acting NCA branch commander Charles Lee said: “This was a significant amount of cannabis, one of the largest seizures of its kind at Manchester Airport.

“It was all the more shocking due to the fact that Mayans Fuster was prepared to bring these illegal drugs into the UK in suitcases bearing the names of his children.

“NCA officers work alongside our partners at Border Force to prevent drug smuggling and dismantle the criminal networks behind it.”

Fernando Jacobo Mayans FustersFernando Jacobo Mayans Fusters (Image: NCA)

After being interviewed by NCA investigators, Mayans Fuster was charged with importing class B drugs.

He pleaded guilty at Stockport Magistrates Court on May 3 and was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment at Manchester Minshull St Crown Court on Friday (July 19).

Mayans Fuster’s children are now being looked after by relatives.

Packages inside one of the suitcasesPackages inside one of the suitcases (Image: NCA)