MAFS groom Timothy Smith reveals past life as a drug smuggler in North America

A participant on “Married At First Sight” has revealed a shocking truth from his past which saw him spend a year in a US prison.

A participant on “Married At First Sight” has revealed a shocking truth from his past.

Timothy Smith told A Current Affair that he was previously jailed for drug smuggling, hoping that speaking out will deter others from crime.

Smith did not disclose criminal past to producers of “Married At First Sight,” where he earned the nickname “Tin Man” for his stoic demeanour.

He said his introduction to smuggling began unexpectedly when he was identified as a natural during a helicopter flying lesson that was paid for by someone else while he was living in Canada.

From there, he embarked on more than 20 drug-smuggling flights, transporting marijuana from Canada to the US, using small, unmanned airports for departure.

Each smuggling mission fetched him around $100,000 and involved quick exchanges where marijuana was loaded into his helicopter, then flown into the US.

“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,” he continued.

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

Timothy Smith who was married to Lucinda Light on this season’s MAFS has revealed a shocking truth from his past which saw him spend a year in a US prison.

He hopes his story deters others from crime. Picture: ACA,

His criminal activities came to an end when he was apprehended by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents upon returning to Los Angeles.

Following his arrest, Smith spent one year in jail after pleading guilty to drug trafficking.

“I’m sorry for what I did. I’m sorry to everyone I hurt. But I don’t want anyone to do what I did,” Smith said.

“That decision in 2006 keeps affecting me. Unfortunately or fortunately it shapes who I am today.

“Someone threw some money at me and said, ‘Go and take a lesson tomorrow’. I did and the instructor said I was a natural. That was the beginning of the end.”

Timothy spent a year in jail. Picture: ACA,

Each smuggling mission fetched him around $100,000. Picture: ACA,

His time in prison was marked by personal tragedies, he shared how he lost his mother and brother while he was incarcerated.

“My world changed. I was shipped off to a federal facility. No guards, four walls, 180 guys, good or bad,” Smith said.

“If I could go back and change it, I would. There’s no question I’d change it.

“I wasn’t there when my mother and brother died. I paid the price. I pay the price everyday.”

Now seeking redemption, Smith is planning to share his story with community groups to prevent at-risk youth from turning to crime, emphasising the severe consequences of his actions.

“I did something very stupid and I paid the price. I paid the ultimate price,” Smith said.

Originally published as MAFS groom Timothy Smith reveals past life as a drug smuggler in North America