A man on a holiday trip with his family to Devon was found carrying a kilo of cocaine in his vehicle after a crash, resulting in his imprisonment. Paul Lord, 45, initially claimed the drugs were for personal use, but later admitted to being a courier. Exeter Crown Court revealed the cocaine’s value to be around £80,000. The defendant, from Gloucestershire, confessed to possession with intent to supply, dating back to August 2022, and received a three-year jail term.
Police responded to a collision near Sourton, where they detected a cannabis odor in the car. Subsequently, the defendant surrendered a small amount of cannabis. However, a search of the Range Rover led to the discovery of a cocaine block in the trunk, along with over £1,000 in cash. Lord initially denied involvement but later claimed it was for personal consumption, stating he purchased it for £9,000 at a highway service station.
Prosecutor Peter Coombe mentioned Lord’s inability to specify the station, while Lord admitted to a daily £200 cocaine addiction. His defense counsel, Evie Dean, portrayed him as a hardworking individual battling addiction. Judge Neil Davey KC acknowledged Lord’s past drug-related convictions and his minor role in a larger criminal network.