A 64-year-old man has been jailed for eight years after concealing drugs in chocolate boxes.

Hassan Akhtar, of Cornwall Close, Maidenhead was jailed at Reading Crown Court today for one count of being knowingly concerned in exporting a class A drug.

He was convicted by a jury's unanimous verdict on July30 after a five day trial at the same court.

Akhtar was arrested on February 27 this year and charged the next day.

Senior investigating officer Detective Sergeant Rob Hood, of the Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “We hope that this sentence demonstrates that drug dealers will be dealt with robustly in the Thames Valley, and police will always investigate such reports thoroughly.

“Akhtar has been sentenced today after he attempted to export more than 5,000 MDMA tablets to Pakistan, which had a street value of £70,000.

“The drugs were hidden in six tubs of Celebrations chocolates, which he sent to Pakistan using a DHL courier.

“The drugs were discovered by a courier after he collected the parcel. Akhtar was later identified in CCTV footage.

“Akhtar was clearly looking to profit from selling drugs, and thought that by concealing them in chocolate tubs that they would not be detected.

“Thames Valley Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit carried out a detailed investigation into this incident and we are pleased that Akhtar will no longer be dealing drugs in our communities.

“We would always urge the public to report any issues of drug dealing, as your reports can help us to investigate crimes, bring offenders to justice and seek to prevent drug dealing in our communities.”