Drug dealer’s £70k cocaine stash in van
A MAN who was found hiding £70k of cocaine in a secret compartment of his van has been jailed.
Stephen Allen, 37, was arrested in July at Manchester Airport after the drugs were discovered.
Preston Crown Court heard Allen was stopped on the M55 by police as he was travelling towards Blackpool, on February 17 this year.
Police conducted a routine search of his VW Caddy, but after a two-hour search nothing was found.
However, a police dog at the scene reacted to indicate drugs were on board so the vehicle was seized.
Officers later searched the van again and discovered a purposebuilt void behind the passenger seat, which was concealing 2kg of high-purity cocaine.
The drugs were estimated to be worth around £70,000, but could sell for more on the streets.
Enquiries were carried out to locate Allen and police traced him to the airport in July, where he was arrested.
Allen, of Warrington Road, Prescot, was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison after he admitted possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
DS Chris Sanderson, of Blackpool Police, said: “When Allen was stopped he was in possession of a significant amount of cocaine, which would undoubtedly have brought misery to the streets of Blackpool.
“It is thanks to the tenacity of the officers who initially stopped him that these drugs have been taken out of circulation.
“I am satisfied with the sentence handed to Allen and hope he will use his time behind bars to reflect on the consequences of his actions.
“I also hope it will send a message that the supply and distribution of drugs will not be tolerated in Lancashire, and we will continue to target, and deal with proportionately and robustly, those who put our communities at risk in this way.”