A Lancaster couple have been jailed for attempting to smuggle cocaine into the UK through Manchester Airport.

The husband, who attempted to escape at Customs controls and punched an officer trying to detain him, was jailed alongside his wife; both had concealed drugs internally.

Mark Thornton, 46, a crane operator of Harrier Court, Lancaster, arrived at the airport on a flight from the Dominican Republic on 8 July 2009 with his wife Carmen Rodrigues-Angeles, 34.

Officers from the UK Border Agency stopped the pair and during routine checks Thornton was found to be in possession of approximately 4000 cigarettes.

At that time he attempted to flee by running for the exit, but he was chased by officers and when caught punched one officer.

The couple were arrested and their baggage and passports were swabbed to test for illegal substances.

Thornton’s passport tested high for cocaine and Angeles’ passport and sandals also tested positive for the Class A drug.

HM Revenue & Customsinvestigators subsequently interviewed the couple.

Following examinations and x-rays, three packages of cocaine were recovered, one from Thornton and two from Angeles.

Mike O’Grady, Criminal Investigations North West HMRC, said: “This smuggling attempt was foolish and dangerous.

"This couple blamed debts but there is no excuse for this kind of illegal trafficking.

"Thornton made matters worse by obstructing officers in their duties and assaulting one of them.

"We will not tolerate such attacks on officers who are protecting our borders and communities."

Forensic tests on the drugs packages revealed the contents to be 300 grammes of cocaine with a street value of over £12,000.

On Friday at Manchester Crown Court, Thornton was sentenced to four years jail with an additional three months added for his assault of an officer and Angeles received two years jail.