A Bradford man knowingly received a parcel containing almost £130,000 of heroin hidden in wooden trays, a jury heard yesterday.

Matthew Sharp, 47, signed for the package that was posted in Afghanistan disguised as foodstuffs and addressed to his home in Loughrigg Street, West Bowling, Bradford. He is accused of fraudulent evasion of a prohibition between May 31 and June 28 last year.

Sharp denies the offence, saying he had no idea what was in the parcel.

Prosecutor Gurdial Singh told Bradford Crown Court the parcel, addressed to a “Mr Ash”, was intercepted by the UK Border Force who found it contained 2.57 kilos of heroin.

It was resealed and delivered to Sharp’s home by an undercover police officer on June 27.

Sharp gave the officer his real name, but signed for the parcel and took it into his home.

It was recovered by the police when he was arrested.

Mr Singh said the heroin was of 45 per cent purity and had a street value of up to £128,000.

Sharp told the police he agreed to take the parcel for a friend, but he had no knowledge of its contents.

The trial continues.