North Tyneside false name drug importer snared after using his own address

Steven Bennett, of Forest Hall, imported more than 2,000 tablets of a Class C drug

A drug importer who used the false surname Spark proved he wasn’t very bright by getting them delivered to his home address. Steven Bennett had already sneaked at least one shipment of narcotics through customs and had them delivered to his home.

Then, on August 22 last year, a Royal Mail international logistics centre received a postal package through Heathrow Airport. It was addressed to Steven Spark but at Bennett’s address in North Tyneside.

Newcastle Crown Court heard a customs declaration said it contained a “healthcare product or supplement”. It was found to contain 12 cardboard boxes containing 2,010 pregabalin tablets or capsules.

Pregabalin is a prescription only medication and a class C drug, the court heard. When sold illegally, each tablet is worth £1.

Bennett’s home was searched on September 20 and police found a further 156 similar tablets. It was clear at least one earlier package had been successfully delivered to the false name of Steven Spark.

His laptop was examined and there was reference to a number of people who he was in contact with about obtaining the drugs.

The court heard Bennett, 33, of Oak Grove, Forest Hall, North Tyneside, was using the drug himself and was only supplying it to a small number of customers. A judge rejected his account that he was making no profit.

Bennett pleaded guilty to importing pregabalin and possessing pregabalin with intent to supply. He was sentenced to eight months suspended for two years with £150 costs.

Matthew Purves, defending, said: “This was a relatively low level operation. He accepts his behaviour has been foolish and landed him in significant trouble.”

The court heard he has long term mental health issues which custody would exacerbate and he would also lose his home if he was locked up.

We have a dedicated newsletter for court news and updates. It’s free and you can sign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest court cases and sentence updates from around the North East.