A SCAFFOLDER was caught with £2.4 million worth of Class A drugs after he was stopped by police driving on the M6, a court heard.
Scott Richard Tobin, 33, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to possession with intent to supply cocaine at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court in Barrow.
Prosecutor Peter Kelly briefly outlined the facts of the case on November 6.
He said: “The defendant was driving a silver Mercedes northbound on the M6 on November 5 when he was stopped by police at Plumpton near Junction 41 of Southwaite services.
“Officers deemed it appropriate to search the defendant under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
“They found a substantial amount of cocaine. The defendant offered no explanation and failed to give an account as to why the drugs were in his possession.”
The court was told drug expert officers predicted the cocaine had a wholesale value of between £600,000 and £700,000, which would have a potential street value of £2.4 million.
Mr Kelly said the defendant was facing a minimum seven-year sentence as a starting point.
“This matter is not suitable for summary trial,” the prosecution continued.
“The Crown Prosecution Service have some genuine concerns about the defendant being bailed.
“A substantial amount of Class A drugs are involved which must be connected to an organised crime group.
“There is a real risk he could commit further offences. It is likely he is going to be indebted. He will likely have to engage in criminal enterprise to get the loss of drugs back.”
Defence solicitor Michael Graham attempted to persuade magistrates to bail his client.
Mr Graham said: “He is a man of good character with no previous convictions. Despite the headlines of the drugs seized and valuation, this is not complex.
“The defendant’s participation was going from point A to point B. It was no more than that.
“He has a fixed address in Scotland and is in full-time employment as a scaffolder. I would argue he is eligible and would qualify for bail.
“There is no history he would commit any further offences.”
Magistrates declined the request and adjourned the case due to having insufficient sentencing powers. A pre-sentence report was ordered.
Tobin, of Glasgow, will be sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on December 5.
Share