Barnsley man admits trying to smuggle criminal cash

Police find almost £50,000 under passenger seat

A Barnsley man is awaiting sentencing after admitting trying to smuggle almost £50,000 in criminal cash off the Isle of Man.

Sam Kenneth Leigh, of Worsbrough, pleaded guilty to the offence during an appearance at Douglas Courthouse today.

Police stopped the 31-year-old at the Sea Terminal in Douglas, at 7pm on 25 September, as part of Operation Strongbox.

Leigh told them he was on-Island visiting friends but checks revealed the people didn’t exist – after smelling cannabis they searched his Volvo.

Officers found £47,970 hidden under the rear passenger seat – they also found another secret ‘hide’ which was empty.

The court heard Leigh had told officers he didn’t know how the money had got into the vehicle.

Leigh will be sentenced at the Court of General Gaol Delivery - no application for bail was made and he was further remanded at the Isle of Man Prison until his next court appearance on 21 October.