John Marsh 
Monkey dust importer Michael McGraw has been jailed after supplying the drug to dozens of users.
The 48-year-old bought the class B drug on the internet and tried to get it into the UK through Coventry Airport.
But police intercepted some packages and more monkey dust was seized when they searched the defendant’s Longton home.
Now McGraw has been jailed for 27 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
The defendant was involved in the importation and supply of monkey dust between June 1, 2018 and April 17, 2019.
Prosecutor Paul Spratt said: “Monkey dust is a chemically-manufactured drug which has significant effects on users. It gives people hallucinations, paranoia, and a loss of pain making them feel extremely strong. It can bring chaotic behaviour, psychosis and feelings of euphoria. It has had a very significant impact in Staffordshire.
“He accepts he imported the drug and also engaged in its supply.”
The court heard packages were successfully delivered to McGraw’s address on November 24 and 28 and December 5 and 8.
But another package addressed to McGraw was intercepted at Coventry Airport Freight Hub on December 13 and found to contain 125 grams of monkey dust which had a street value of £5,000.
Mr Spratt added: “Police searched the defendant’s address on December 21 and found two smaller quantities of monkey dust – 404 milligrams and 5.7 grams. They found digital scales and small plastic bags.
“A further interception took place at Coventry Freight Hub on January 6 when more monkey dust was found in two packages, 49.2 grams and 1.07 grams.
“An examination of his phone showed he bought the monkey dust on the ‘dark web’ and he made inquiries as to where his delivery was.
“A police expert picked out 29 separate individuals who asked the defendant for the drug.”
He added: “The impact of monkey dust on Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent has been very dramatic. This court has dealt with many people who have been arrested in possession of it and behaved in a criminal way following the ingestion of it.
“There have been 30 drug-related deaths in Staffordshire in this period of time and 13 of those showed monkey dust in toxicology examinations.
“It was a common drug in this city. There have been 293 seizures of monkey dust in Staffordshire in the last three years. It has been a significant problem to Staffordshire Police who received 2,750 calls in relation to monkey dust. It is a problem we hope is disappating.”
McGraw, of Rochester Road, Longton, pleaded guilty to the ‘fraudulent evasion of a prohibition by importing a class B drug’ between June 1, 2018 and April 17 this year; supplying a class B drug; and acquiring criminal property between July 1, 2017 and December 21, 2018.
Daniel Lister, mitigating, said the defendant has no previous convictions for importing or supplying drugs.
Mr Lister said: “He became a user of monkey dust who imported it and sold it to friends. He ended up supplying 29 people. But it is not fair to say this was on a commercial scale.
“He knew he would receive money for it and would have to accept he was acquiring criminal property when he sold it.”
Judge David Fletcher told McGraw: “The catalyst for this behaviour was your own spiralling use of monkey dust.
“You are aware of the effect of this particular substance on people who take it and the wider community.”
McGraw’s co-accused – Sye Robinson, of Burt Street, Meir – was fined £75 after he admitted possessing cannabis. The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to proceed against the 26-year-old in relation to a charge of acquiring criminal property.
Staffordshire Police have welcomed the prosecution.
Detective Sergeant James Brady said: “This was a complex investigation and demonstrates our dedication to reducing the danger these substances pose on the streets.”
