A SOUTHWOLD man has admitted growing cannabis and attempting to smuggle the drug.

Terrence Smith, 55, of Foster Close, pleaded guilty to three charges at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday.

The court heard that Smith's arrest on June 16 last year was the result of an investigation launched by the UK Border Agency in Coventry. The inquiry was then passed on to Suffolk police and officers moved in to arrest Smith when a package containing cannabis was delivered to his home.

A search was later carried out at Smith's home and 11 cannabis plants were found growing at the property, along with 778.57grams of cannabis resin and 249.19gms of cannabis, the court heard.

Smith admitted being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug. It was alleged he was involved in an plot to smuggle eight kilograms of cannabis resin into the country.

He also pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of a Class B drug, and admitted a third charge of possessing cannabis and cannabis resin.

The total value of the drugs involved in all three charges is understood to be just under �28,000.

Smith was released on bail and will be sentenced later this month.