Dealer tried to smuggle ecstasy in Police Lego box

Liddle appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court

David Liddle attempted to import the potentially-deadly tablets concealed in the toy packaging from a source in Belgium.

But Liddle, 22, was caught out by diligent customs officials when the package landed at the International Postage hub, in Coventry, England.

The suspicious officers opened package to find the Lego police box with around 1000 ecstasy tablets hidden inside.

And during a subsequent search of Liddle’s Edinburgh home police officers also uncovered around £100 of cocaine.

Liddle pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of the Class A drug ecstasy at the postal hub in Coventry on January 15 last year during an appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

He also admitted to supplying cocaine from his home in the Southhouse area of the capital between July 2, 2014, and January 20 last year.

Fiscal depute Kirsty Anderson told the court UK Border Force officers became suspicious of the Edinburgh-bound package during a routine search.

Ms Anderson said: “Officers examined a package that had arrived from Belgium. The address said ‘David Liddle at Southhouse Grove in Edinburgh’.

“The package was examined and was found to contain a Police Lego brand box.”

The fiscal said two self-sealed bags were found within a vacuum bag inside the package containing the large number of the Class A ecstasy pills.

Ms Anderson told the court: “Tests were carried out and gave a positive reading for MDMA.”

It is believed the ecstasy tablets could have a street value of £10,000 if they had been sold individually.

A subsequent police search of Liddle’s home also unearthed a bag containing £100 of cocaine, more than £2000 in cash and three mobile phones.

“The mobile phones contained evidence of Liddle’s drug dealing.

Solicitor James Stewart claimed his client “did not order or pay” for the illegal consignment but that he had only allowed his name and address to be used for the delivery.

Sheriff Thomas Welsh QC called for background reports on Liddle and deferred sentence to next month.

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