A 22-year-old Bradford man has told a jury he had no idea parcels of rugs flown into Manchester Airport were hiding a consignment of heroin.

Waseem Rauf, of Exmouth Place, Undercliffe, said he was driven to the airport on an innocent day out.

After he arrived back in Bradford, he fled on foot from the police because it was a dark night and he thought the plain clothes officers were “junkies” chasing him.

Rauf and Tracy Schofield, 41, of Briggs Street, Queensbury, Bradford, deny conspiracy to contravene the Customs and Excise Management Act by importing heroin.

Convicted armed robber Alan Hoffman-Balmer, of Haycliffe Road, Little Horton, Bradford, had admitted involvement in a conspiracy.

Rauf told the jury today he had one previous conviction in 2005 for stealing from his employer. He had never committed any drugs offences.

He said Hoffman-Balmer was “a good mate” he had done building work for.

The court has heard that heroin with a street value of up to £1.6 million was flown into the country from Kabul on January 25 this year.

The drug, bound for Bradford, was woven in Afghan rugs packed into three parcels.

The trial continues.