Workman Finds £15,000 Of Cocaine While Installing Electricity Meter
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A workman stumbled upon a stash of cocaine worth £15,000 ($20,000) while installing an electricity meter.
The worker was fitting the meter at a property in South Shields, UK, on Thursday (3 December) when he discovered plastic bags of white powder.
He called the police and officers subsequently discovered other drug paraphernalia, such as a set of scales, with much of the drug portioned into smaller quantities.
An investigation was launched and a 39-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug with the intent to supply.
Police have praised the workman for his course of action upon discovering the drugs.
Inspector Phil Baker said: "This was an excellent discovery by a member of the public who was carrying out a job at an address when he stumbled across a significant amount of drugs.
"He absolutely did the right thing by picking up the phone and I would like to thank him personally for his intervention. His decision has helped keep these drugs out of the hands of some of the most vulnerable people in our community."
Officers have praised an eagle-eyed workman who found £15,000 worth of cocaine - while installing an electricity meter. :police_car:
The discovery has since led to the arrest of a man on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply. More here :point_right: https://t.co/egnlorsFB6 pic.twitter.com/03rJaRmLak
- Northumbria Police (@northumbriapol) December 8, 2020
He continued: "Criminals who supply these type of drugs give little thought to those who use them. Unfortunately as we have seen so often, it is those who are in desperate need of help that turn to drugs and a life of crime to fund their addiction.
"Under the banner of Operation Sentinel, we are committed to ensuring those who supply drugs across our region are brought to justice - and I have no doubt that this discovery will have dented the pockets of those behind the operation."
The man who was arrested has since been released under investigation and enquiries are ongoing.
Earlier this year, police in Kent caught a drug dealer flushing crack cocaine down the toilet.
Melvin Gambanga tried to get rid of his stash as police broke down the door of his Gravesend flat, but officers found the plastic bag of drugs in the toilet.
Police also discovered a loaded pistol and ammunition hidden in a holdall with more bullets in a suit in the wardrobe, while heroin and crack cocaine - which had been assembled into ready-to-sell wraps - were discovered in his bedroom.
The 23-year-old unemployed warehouse worker was jailed for eight years.
