Defendant Pleads Guilty After A66 Drug Stop Finding 39kg
A man has admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine after police stopped a vehicle on the A66 near Penrith.
Courtney Gaston-Hird pleaded guilty at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on June 5.
The 33-year-old, of Sleaford, Lincolnshire, admitted he was caught with the drugs on the A66 at Temple Sowerby near Penrith on June 3.
Magistrates remanded him into custody ahead of sentencing at Carlisle Crown Court on July 6.
Police Found Cocaine During Vehicle Search
The case follows a police stop on the A66 near Penrith on June 3.
Cumbria Police previously said officers from Westmorland and Furness’ Neighbourhood Support Team stopped a vehicle before a man ran off on foot.
He was arrested after a short chase.
Officers then searched the vehicle and found 39 blocks of white powder.
Testing later confirmed the substance was cocaine.
Police said the drugs had an estimated street value of nearly £4 million, making it one of the most significant drug seizures recorded in Cumbria.
Guilty Plea Entered in Court
Gaston-Hird appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on June 5.
He pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to supply cocaine, a Class A drug.
By entering a guilty plea, he accepted his role in the offence. The case will now be dealt with at Crown Court because of the seriousness of the offence.
Remanded Ahead of Sentencing
Magistrates remanded Gaston-Hird into custody following his guilty plea.
He is due to be sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on July 6.
At that hearing, a judge will decide the sentence after considering the facts of the case, the amount of drugs involved, his role in the offending and any mitigation put forward by the defence.
Major Cocaine Seizure in Cumbria
The case is linked to the recent seizure of cocaine worth almost £4 million near Penrith.
Police said the quantity recovered was around 39kg.
Class A drug supply offences are treated seriously by the courts because of the harm they can cause to communities.
The sentencing hearing at Carlisle Crown Court will determine the final outcome of the case.
