Man jailed in Venezuela drug case

A Wirral man who admitted drug trafficking in Venezuela has been jailed for eight years, Foreign Office officials have said.

Paul Makin, 31, and his wife Laura were arrested when 53lb (24kg) of cocaine was found in their bags as they tried to board a plane to London in February.

Mrs Makin, who was accused of the same offence, denies the charge and will stand trial, said prosecutors.

Makin, from Birkenhead, claimed he thought he was carrying diamonds.

The couple were arrested at Porlamar airport on the island of Margarita.

Affray charge

The pair were travelling with their two-year-old twin girls and Mrs Makin's children from her previous marriage, a boy aged eight, and girl aged seven.

The children were taken into care by Venezuelan authorities and have now returned to the UK where they are living with relatives.

Makin, a bus driver and former Cheshire Regiment soldier, was already wanted by police on Merseyside after failing to attend court in February.

He was due to stand trial at Liverpool Crown Court charged with affray and possessing a machete.