Jailed drug smuggler faces deportation from NI

A South African drug smuggler was today jailed for 22 months and told she will be thrown out of Northern Ireland when she completes…

A South African drug smuggler was today jailed for 22 months and told she will be thrown out of Northern Ireland when she completes her sentence.

Martha Schmittdiel, 34, was arrested at Belfast City Airport after customs officials discovered more than 21 kilos of herbal cannabis in her suitcase.

The haul, which was seized last July, had an estimated street value of £210,000.

Schmittdiel pleaded guilty at an arraignment hearing in May and was sentenced today at Belfast Crown Court.

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His Honour Judge Lockie recommended she should be deported upon her release on June 6.

John Whiting, HMRC Acting Head of Investigation in Northern Ireland, welcomed the sentence.

He said: "Our investigators and detection officers at Northern Ireland's airports and ports are determined to stop all drugs reaching our streets.

"In line with the UK Government's drugs strategy, we work with our partners at home and abroad to reduce the availability of Class A drugs while continuing to detect and prosecute smugglers of other illegal drugs such as cannabis.

"Today's case sends another significant warning to anyone tempted to smuggle drugs."

Schmittdiel, of Norton Street, Elsburg, Gauteng travelled from Johannesburg to Cape Town and then from Heathrow to Belfast City Airport.

Schmittdiel has been remanded in custody since her arrest and will be transferred to an Immigration Service holding centre before she is deported to South Africa.