A POLISH drug dealer extradited back to the UK after fleeing to his homeland has been jailed.

Pawel Zieba was caught with a large amount of cannabis when police turned up at his former home in Tranent in 2015.

Zieba was found to have “a significant quantity” of the Class B drug in his possession with a total value of £119,000.

Zieba was arrested and charged following the drug find but he travelled back to Poland in a bid to escape justice.

Last Thursday, Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told that an extradition warrant was issued for the 28-year-old’s apprehension and he was eventually brought back to the UK in November last year.

Zieba appeared in the dock at the city court in front of Sheriff Kenneth McGowan, where he pleaded guilty to the drug offence.

Fiscal Heather Carmichael said that police saw Zieba attend the address at Edinburgh Road in Tranent at about 5.20pm on May 7, 2015.

The officers entered the property and instantly noticed “there was a strong smell of cannabis” within the home.

The property was searched and the large haul of cannabis was discovered, with the court hearing the total amount found was 15.26kg.

The wholesale value was £56,000 but if the drug was split into smaller street deals then the total value would reach £119,000.

Sheriff McGowan remanded Zieba in custody ahead of the sentencing hearing later this month.

Sentence was deferred for the preparation of reports and a restriction of liberty order assessment.

Co-accused Michal Sumlet, 26, had his not guilty plea accepted by the Crown and he was released from the dock.

Zieba admitted to being concerned in the supply of cannabis at Edinburgh Road, Tranent, on May 7, 2015.