Drug dealer jailed after search finds cocaine in bedroom

A man who denied owning almost a kilo of cocaine found in his bedroom has been jailed for more than five years.

Lewis Potter was arrested on September 28, 2022, in connection with an unrelated report when officers conducted a search of his address on Front Street in Ellington, Northumberland.

It was during this search that a rucksack containing 850 grams of cocaine – with an estimated street value of up to £75,000 – was uncovered.

However, the now 29-year-old claimed he had not stayed at the address for six weeks and that a friend he refused to name had instead been living at the property.

The investigation found an opened council bill for that period in Potter’s name at the address, while his fingerprints were also found on the packaging containing the cocaine.

Potter was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, and admitted his links to the property.

Potter was charged and appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on January 29 where he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply.

And on Tuesday, April 16, he was sentenced at the same court to five-and-a-half years in prison.

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Constable Paul Bell, of Northumbria Police, said:

This is a fantastic result for us, and I would like to thank everyone who played their part in this successful conviction.

Cocaine is an incredibly addictive and harmful substance to our communities, with the trade of the drug directly funding serious organised crime and associated violence and exploitation.

Potter was aware of the illegalities of his actions and stood to profit from the destructive consequences of this substance.

As a Force, we have zero tolerance for drug-related crime in our area and we will use every tool at our disposal to bring offenders to justice.

Anyone with information or concerns should contact Northumbria Police using the 'Report' tool on our website, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.