A heavily tattooed male model involved with a drugs gang who bought and imported raw steroids from China has been posing for Facebook snaps - on the run in Bali.

Terrence Murrell, 30, of London, was jailed on Tuesday, for 37 months, in his absence at Caernarfon crown court.

He admitted conspiracy to supply a controlled drug and possession with intent to supply.

Prosecuting counsel Sarah Badrawy said drugs worth almost £2 million had been seized and the gang were thought to have made £1.2 million profit in two years.

She said more than £220,000 had been made by Murrell from the supply of steroids.

When quizzed by police Murrell said he was a male model. Judge Huw Rees said he was now leading the life of a tourist in Bali. “Any penalty for absconding will be dealt with in due course under the Bail Act,” he remarked.

Judge Rees said anabolic steroids were widely abused in sport and had a number of side effects.

He 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.”

A Proceeds of Crime application will be made.

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 stopped 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.