A CZECH couple were caught trying to import deadly crystal meth into the region when they were stopped at Newcastle Airport.

When customs officers detained Maros Kristoff and Eva Makunova they discovered 1.4kg of the highly addictive stimulant hidden in their suitcase.

Also concealed in their bags was 2.7kg of cocaine, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Makunova, who had been having an affair with married Kristoff, claimed she had been duped into helping in the plot after her lover told her he was taking her on holiday to the Gambia.

The seemingly romantic gesture turned sour when he got her to put the crystal meth, also known as methamphetamine, in her luggage.

Now the couple, from London, have been jailed for a total of 10 years after admitting drug importation offences.

Judge Paul Sloan QC said he accepted Makunova had been “exploited” and had a limited role in the illegal enterprise.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister told the court she genuinely believed she was going on holiday, not a drugs run.

Mr Pallister said: “She said he was her boyfriend, although he was married with children and would see each other once a week.

“He said on the Sunday or Monday before that he was going to take her on holiday. She thought it was a nice surprise.”

But the court heard during the holiday in the Gambia, the mum-of-three was duped into becoming a drugs mule and ordered to carry a specially converted suitcase to bring a haul of drugs through customs and into the UK.