A COURIER who had his hands on £60,000 worth of cannabis for about 20 seconds has been jailed for three years and nine months.

Police pounced after a drugs handover in Glasgow and detained Barry McGuckin. The 32-year-old was later released on bail but failed to appear at the High Court in 2001. He handed himself in to the authorities earlier this year.

Lord Macphail told him at the High Court in Edinburgh he had been concerned in the supply of a substantial quantity of cannabis resin with a potential street value of £60,000.

The judge said: "Couriers must accept full responsibility for being an integral part of the drug trade."

He sentenced McGuckin, from Knightswood, in Glasgow, for three years for the drugs offence and nine months for failing to attend court.

The first offender earlier admitted being concerned in the supply of the then Class B drug on April 7 in 2001 at Tunnel Street, in Glasgow.

Graham Robertson, defending, said a drug debt had been built up and McGuckin was offered £50 to pick up a package in Glasgow but police moved in.

Mr Robertson, said: "He had the drugs in his possession for 20 to 30 seconds."