MAFS Timothy Smith reveals he was in US prison for drug trafficking

A popular Married At First Sight groom kept his criminal past a secret from producers. Here’s why.

A popular Married At First Sight groom has revealed he kept his criminal past a secret from producers.

Timothy Smith was one of this season’s most popular MAFS contestants when he was matched with Lucinda.

However, Mr Smith has since said come clean that he wasn’t completely honest about his past on the show.

MAFS groom Timothy Smith revealed his dark past on Tuesday. Picture: ACA

“I was a helicopter pilot in North America that did something really stupid and made a decision to fly marijuana across the Canadian border into the US and got caught doing it,” Mr Smith told A Current Affair on Tuesday.

“It’s something I’m not proud of, I’m definitely not proud of it but it doesn’t define who I am and I’m not the same person I was 17 years ago.”

While living in Canada in 2006, Mr Smith was approached by a group of people who were looking for a helicopter pilot.

MAFS groom Timothy Smith had been flying drugs across international borders. Picture: ACA,

“Someone threw some money at me and said: ‘Go and take a lesson tomorrow’,” he said.

“I did and the instructor said I was a natural. That was the beginning of the end.

“I would take off from a little unmanned airport. I had the helicopter sorted and I’d fly up a valley and into a creek.

“I’d meet a 4WD and land behind it and within a minute the helicopter would be loaded with marijuana and I’d fly south into the US.”

Mr Smith later pleaded guilty for trafficking after flying more than 20 missions across state lines.

“It was $100,000 a trip for a couple of hours of work,” Smith said.

Timothy Smith served time in maximum security prison in the US 17 years ago. Picture: ACA

Mr Smith was arrested at customs after returning back from Australia to visit his mother, who had just been diagnosed with cancer.

“That’s where the sentence starts,” he said, recalling that he never saw his mum or brother again after both died while he was in jail.

“I’m sorry for what I did.

“I’m sorry to everyone I hurt and I don’t want anyone to do what I did.

“I don’t want you to think there’s some sort of glamorous life out there, they are real consequences.”

Originally published as MAFS Timothy Smith reveals he was in US prison for drug trafficking