A mother who smuggled four kilogrammes worth of cocaine with a street value of £316,000 past UK borders was jailed for four years at Croydon Crown Court.

Shaketa Raynor, 44, pleaded guilty to importing the class A drug.

Raynor was detained by Border Force officers at Gatwick airport after she stepped off a flight from Costa Rice on June 23. The drugs were found amongst her travel luggage.

The drugs had an estimated street-value of around £316,000.

Judge Deborah Charles, said: “You were mainly a courier but were doing this for money.

“You emigrated to this country and brought your son and his family with you.

“You were unable to find work and took the stupid decision to try and make money by importing drugs.”

Originally from Bermuda, Raynor had wanted to start a new life in Hull with her family, but struggled financially. This had her turn towards drug smuggling.

Border Force regional director, Tim Kingsberry, said: “Detections such as this are testament to the Border Force officer’s expertise. In making this seizure, Border Force and the NCA have protected the public and prevented further criminality.”