A DRUG smuggler who was trying to transport two kilogram-bricks of cocaine into Cornwall to be distributed on the streets of Newquay has been jailed.

Jamie Woods, 30, of Duke Street, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a class A drug.

Back in June, Woods was stopped by Avon and Somerset Police officers at Junction 14 on the M5, where they found he was attempting to transport cocaine to Cornwall.

A search of the van he was driving uncovered two brick-like items suspected to be drugs.

The bricks of cocaine were found in a special compartment under the front passenger seat of Woods' van
The bricks of cocaine were found in a special compartment under the front passenger seat of Woods' van (Avon and Somerset Police)

The items, which had been concealed in what police described as a “purpose-built electronically operated compartment” under the front passenger seat, were tested and found to be two kilo blocks of 85 per cent purity cocaine.

The investigation was passed to the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

Detective Sergeant Stuart Cumine from SWROCU said this had been a significant win on the war against drugs and that the removal of this shipment was just one step towards the team’s goal of disrupting the criminal networks facilitating such enterprises.

He said: “This result demonstrates our determination to disrupt the criminal networks responsible for supplying drugs into the South West.

“By seizing two kilograms of cocaine before it reached the streets of Newquay, we have removed a significant threat and denied organised criminals a substantial source of income.”

Reassuring the public that they will continue to stamp out drugs in the South West, DS Cumine added: “We will continue to use every tool available to identify, target and prosecute those involved in the supply of illegal drugs.”

Woods pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a class A drugs and was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court to three years and three months’ imprisonment.