Francis Smith, who now lives in Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, is charged with conspiring to distribute 1.234 tonnes of cannabis,

Francis Smith, who now lives in Malaga, on the Costa del Sol, is charged with conspiring to distribute 1.234 tonnes of cannabis, seized in a random stop on the A45 near Ryton-upon-Dunsmore.A British ex-pat living in Spain has been charged in connection with a £2.7 million drugs bust in Ryton.Stunned police found 5,000 blocks of cannabis resin when they pulled over a white Iveco van in February 2006.
Stockton man Roy Selby, 42, was jailed for two-and-a-half years in August 2006 after pleading guilty to possessing the cannabis with intent to supply it.It is alleged there is evidence linking Smith to the packages of cannabis seized from Selby's van. Selby had initially claimed he thought he had been carrying furniture.When he was jailed, Judge Marten Coates said he accepted the driver, who was to be paid £500 for making the delivery, was "at the bottom of the food chain".Smith, 56, appeared for a preliminary hearing at Warwick Crown Court where it was indicated he would deny ther charge.The case was adjourned until May and Smith remanded in custody.