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A drugs mule smuggled super-strength cocaine up his backside into Jersey after claims he was threatened by violent Merseyside gangs.

Liverpool man Francis Mkatapa was stopped by customs officers after flying with easyJet into the island's airport in October last year.

A scanner indicated the 31-year-old had high levels of cocaine present, and so he was strip searched during which he seemed unwilling to allow officers to check near his buttocks.

When asked why he'd come to Jersey, Mkatapa tried to spin a story, he was a record producer on the island for just one night to "meet an industry contact called Shivs."

He was unable to give any more details, The Royal Court’s Superior Number heard.

Mkatapa was ordered to use a specialist toilet where he was told to remove his clothes and put on a paper suit.

But as he was changing, officers spotted "three oblong packages" near a wash basin, Emma Hollywood, prosecuting, said.

The lawyer added: "It became clear that the packages had been carried by the defendant internally."

The three packages contained a total of 133.92g of 92% pure cocaine.

Batches above 75% are treated exceptionally seriously in Jersey.

Mkatapa claimed he was forced into smuggling the drugs by violent drug gangs in Merseyside who were threatening him and his family.

He had been due to travel to the island twice before he boarded an EasyJet flight on October 3.

(Image: jersey police)

Mkatapa claimed he had once refused to make the trip, and another time, he missed his flight, causing the threats to escalate.

The cocaine was capable of being cut to substantially increase sales or, if left unadulterated, posed a serious risk to users’ health.

Commissioner Julian Clyde-Smith said islanders only had to look at the recent death of 19-year-old James Le Bourgeois to see the harm Class-A drugs could have on the community.

The former Highlands student died from a suspected reaction to MDMA earlier this month.

Giles Emmanuel, defending, said his client was remorseful and had a good work ethic prior to being arrested.

It was heard he had run businesses and taken part in community employment in Toxteth, which included working with children to allow them to showcase their musical talents.

Mkatapa was working towards a qualification in TV production in Liverpool, at one of the universities.

He was jailed for eight years.

He is due to start studying for a business and economics degree in prison.

The 31-year-old, who admitted one count of attempting to import a controlled drugs, has one previous conviction in 2015 for possession with intent to supply.