Ross Lidbetter

ross.lidbetter@essnmedia.co.uk

A MAN caught carrying £20,000 worth of cocaine at Selhurst railway station has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Nicholas Currie was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court after being found guilty of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and possession of a Class B drug.

The 25-year-old was caught during a drugs operation at the station on April 2 this year.

A plain clothes police officer spotted Currie getting off a train before reboarding immediately, having spotted a number of uniformed officers at the station.

When approached by the officer and asked why he had reboarded the train so suddenly, Currie stated he had got off at the wrong stop.

After then admitting he did not have a valid ticket, Currie accompanied the officer and walked towards the officers conducting the drugs operation.

As Currie neared the officers, a British Transport Police drugs dog indicated he may have been in contact with an illegal substance, at which point he attempted to run off.

Following a short chase, officers caught up with him on Selhurst Road and he was arrested.

A search of the sports bag he was carrying revealed three large lumps of white powder, contained inside a plastic bag, along with a small bag of cannabis. The items found in the bag were sent for forensic tests, with the laboratory results showing Currie had been carrying cocaine with an estimated street value of up to £20,000.

The cannabis was valued at £20. Currie, from Rochester, Kent, was sentenced on July 9.