Leicester man faces trial over drug smuggling allegations

Class A drug reportedly found inside a jacket

A Leicester man will face trial over allegations he tried to smuggle 60 grammes of cocaine onto the Island.

Thirty-five-year-old Stefan Oliver Joseph Ball, of Harborough Road, appeared at Douglas Courthouse where he denied producing cocaine and possessing the drug with intent to supply it.

The court heard Mr Ball, and another man, reportedly drove off the Ben-my-Chree at around 6am on 5 March.

Police stopped their silver BMW and spoke to them, searching the car when they became suspicious.

Inside a jacket, on the back seat, were a number of wraps of cocaine and the other man had a snapbag containing the drug – in total officers found £6,000 worth.

Mr Ball told police he was accompanying his friend, who was visiting his son, and had borrowed the car after another vehicle broke down.

Bail was refused and Mr Ball was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on 12 April.