A DRUG dealer who posted cannabis to customers across the country has been jailed.

Staff at the Royal Mail’s Runcorn Sorting Office discovered 44 packages of drugs destined for properties across the country in June last year and alerted Cheshire Police.

A total of 326 bags of cannabis were recovered from the parcels, coming with a value of up to £11,420.

An investigation was launched, and officer were able to link Michael Donnelly and Leanne Hughes to the find via CCTV and DNA evidence.

Last Wednesday, August 25, the pair – aged 45 and 41 respectively – appeared before Liverpool Crown Court after admitting being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Donnelly, of Worcester Court in Runcorn, was locked up for 14 months.

Meanwhile Hughes, from Liverpool, was spared jail – instead being handed a four-month imprisonment suspended for two years.

Police constable Simon Gibson, who led the police probe, said: “I welcome the conclusion of this case and I hope that it acts as a warning to others.

“Donnelly and Hughes thought that by posting the drugs they’d be able to evade justice, but thanks to the strength of the evidence we were able to gather they were left with no option but to plead guilty to the charges against them.

“We know the damage that illegal drugs can cause, and I want to reassure residents that we are committed to tackling drugs related crime and we will do everything that we can to achieve justice and make our communities safer for everyone.”