A MALE model involved with a drugs gang who imported raw steroids from China has been flown back to Britain to start his jail term after fleeing the UK in June 2018.

Terrence Murrell, 33, was jailed for 37 months in his absence at Caernarfon crown court in October 2018. He admitted conspiracy to supply a controlled drug and possession with intent to supply.

While on the run in Bali he had posed for Facebook snaps.

But last weekend North Wales police officers travelled to Cambodia to extradite the wanted fugitive who had been in an immigration detention centre in Phnom Penh since March 21.

Murrell, from Oxfordshire, had fled initially to Bali where he was believed to be living the high life and staying in expensive hotels and luxury villas. He was eventually arrested in Bali and deported. But while en-route to the UK, Murrell changed flights in Taiwan and fled to Cambodia, where he was detained by local officials.

Upon arriving back in Britain last weekend Murrell was taken to Wormwood Scrubs prison in London to start his sentence. In due course he will appear via video link to be sentenced for absconding.

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “People think they can escape justice by leaving the country. But the arrest of Murrell demonstrates that we will we pursue offenders and take the necessary steps to track them down.”

The prosecution had said drugs worth almost £2 million had been seized and the gang were thought to have made £1.2 million profit in two years. More than £220,000 had been made by Murrell from the supply of steroids.

The judge said the case involved a “very extensive criminal operation” with steroids imported from Hong Kong and China.

Murrell wanted: “To look his best as part of his work as a male model.”

The Crown Prosecution Service said 15 defendants conspired to import, produce and sell steroids and hormone tablets around North Wales, London and Leeds and via a number of websites which they had set up to advertise the drugs for sale.

The drugs ring was caught after customs officials intercepted a number of parcels that were addressed to the defendants or bogus business addresses they were using to hide the conspiracy. The parcels were found to contain raw steroids and other items used in the manufacture and distribution of the drugs.

On Facebook, in a picture with two companions, the cocky fugitive had called them: ”The baddest men in Bali.”