A man who was found with a "significant amount" of heroin stuffed in his underwear claimed he was transporting it in order to "clear a debt".
Sean Lauder was found with thousands of pounds worth of the drug when police pulled over a vehicle he was travelling in on November 16, last year.
Lauder was the front seat passenger in a car being driven by his brother when police pulled them over in Bishop Auckland following reports the vehicle was linked to a number of incidents.
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The vehicle was searched, with officers discovering 241g of heroin in Lauder's underwear.
Lauder, 43, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Monday to be sentenced for possession of a class A drug with intent to supply.
He "admitted it was heroin" and was arrested at the scene, and the court heard that if the heroin was to be sold in 1g deals, it would have had a potential street value of between £18,940 and £20,660.
Lauder, who had previous convictions for drug offences, pleaded guilty on the basis he was a "courier of the drugs" and "acting on the instruction of others".
The court was told he claimed he agreed to transport the drugs as he had been "accused of a debt he did not owe" and that if he did transport the heroin, the "debt would be cleared".
Peter Sabiston, defending, said Lauder had "long term, ongoing issues" and that there was a "great deal of information about his vulnerable personality".
He added it was "clear he was operating under a degree of pressure from old associates", based in Scotland.
Lauder, of Silver Courts, Brandon, County Durham, was jailed for 26 months for being found with the "significant amount" of heroin.
Following the sentencing, PC Joshua Chew, of Bishop Auckland CID said: “I welcome the custodial sentence imposed by the court.
"There are too many lives ruined by this addiction - heroin has a direct link to the commission of other crimes that have a serious and lasting effect on society.
"I hope Sean Lauder reflects on his behaviour during his time in prison and chooses a different path upon his release.”
