£6,000 stash ... in dealer's underpants!

Published on 14th September 2006 in News

A DRUG trafficker has been jailed for three years after being caught at Goole with more than £6,000 worth of cocaine.

Courier James Hill (21) was caught with the class A designer drug stashed in his underpants when he was stopped by Goole police.

Hull Crown Court heard how Mr Hill scattered evidence, bursting one of the bags over the seat of a police car en route back to Goole Police Station.

Mr Hill was transporting drugs from Liverpool via Goole after running up debts in the drugs underworld, Hull Crown Court heard.

He was caught on May 18 driving along the M62 in a silver Vauxhall Corsa at around 10.40pm. He was asked if he had drugs and he said: "Yes, in my underpants".

"En route to Goole Police Station he managed to grab and rip open one of the bags," barrister Jharna Jobes told Hull Crown Court last Friday. "The second package was undamaged. There were 79 grammes in one and 13.3 grammes in another. The street value of the drugs was just over £6,000."

Mr Hill's home at North Street, Anlaby, Hull was searched and found to contain a dealer list, digital drug scales and a quantity of dealer bags. He pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of drugs.

Defending barrister Anil Murray said Mr Hill's father had been shocked to discover his son - an engineering apprentice - should find himself in such a position.

"He got himself involved in drugs and it spiraled out of control," said Mr Murray. "He is from a good family. He was half way through an engineering apprenticeship. He has thrown that away now."

Judge Roger Thorn, QC, ordered Mr Hill to stand as he told him he had no pleasure in jailing him. He said "Your father is here to see you being sentenced. Only you can imagine how he is feeling about that. I have to pass a custodial sentence."

He was jailed for a total of three years