A BRADFORD woman was involved in an international plot to smuggle MCAT from China and distribute it hidden in DVD cases, a jury at Bradford Crown Court heard.

Helen Brookes had £20,000 of the Class B drug stored at her home, in Buttermere Road, Undercliffe, along with electronic scales, empty DVD cases and packages addressed to Sweden and St Helier in Jersey, it is alleged.

Brookes, 51, and Derrick Smith, 59, deny conspiring to fraudulently evade the prohibition on MCAT and conspiring to supply it, between March 27, 2012, and March 23, 2013.

Prosecutor Simon Haring told the jury yesterday it was the Crown's case that Smith, of Keldregate, Huddersfield, and Brookes were part of an operation to buy MCAT from China, import it and sell it on.

Brookes is accused of weighing out the drug, packing it in DVD cases and sending it out from her local Post Office, on Harrogate Road, Bradford.

Mr Haring said that in March, 2012, a man called Andrew Rogers, said to be involved in the plot, was posting up to 30 packages a day from a Post Office in Chester.

When a parcel containing white powder burst, the postmaster called the police and they lay in wait for him.

Mr Haring said a search of Rogers' flat revealed a large scale drugs supplying operation. There was a tub of MCAT, empty DVD cases and Jiffy bags.

On December 4, 2012, border police intercepted a parcel at Manchester Airport that had come from China and had Brookes' home address on it.

It was labelled iron oxide but was found to contain MCAT.

On March 6, 2013, police searched Brookes' home, the court was told.

Mr Haring said she told the police she was helping a friend, Derrick Smith, who was sending out samples to people.

She said it was "some white stuff" called B2.

Brookes said Smith was paying her £200 a week to send out up to 20 parcels a day.

She thought it was plant food, she told officers.

Mr Haring told the jury: "She did not know what she was doing was illegal, she said."

He went on: "It is obvious what she was doing. She was packing up illegal drugs."

On March 22, 2013, police searched Smith's home. No drugs were found but in the bin were two draft letters to Brookes apologising for "getting her into it."

Smith made no comment in his police interview, the jury was told.

The trial continues.