Jail for Peterborough man who hid Class A drugs in a fake beer can
A man who hid a ball of class A drugs in a fake beer can has been jailed for more than three years.
Cambridgeshire police say that officers saw Patrick Smith (34) engaging with known drug users in Cubitt Way, Woodston, Peterborough, and tried to detain him.
A police spokesperson said: “After being told by the Neighbourhood Support Team officers that he was detained for a search, Smith drove away at speed, mounting the kerb and narrowly missing the officers and bollards.
"However, the team found the car parked up in Earl Spencer Court and Smith was nearby trying to walk away.
“He was arrested and a large ball of class A drugs was found hidden in a fake beer can which was discarded in a fence line that Smith was seen to be loitering near."
The incident happened on December 3 last year.
Smith, of Sycamore Road, Whittlesey, was jailed for three years and two months and handed a 43-month driving ban after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine, possession of criminal property – namely £290 in cash – and obstructing an officer in exercise of a section 23 search when he appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on February 16.
The court also ordered for the £290 in cash to be paid to Cambridge Recovery Service.
Afterwards, PC Charlie Adams, the arresting officer, said: “My team and I were on patrol in the area in relation to concerns about drug dealing when we saw Smith, and despite his best efforts to evade us, we were able to swiftly arrest him and remove drugs from the street.
"Drug dealing and associated criminality can have a big impact on the community, and I encourage anyone with information to report it."