Drug Dealer's Cocaine Found Under Floorboards

A drug dealer, who stashed 3.5 kilos of cocaine under his floorboards, has been locked-up for five years.

James Riches, 46, of Brownspring Drive, Eltham was arrested after police raided his south-east London home.

At Woolwich Crown Court he pleaded guilty to possession of a class A drug, with intent to supply.

He also admitted possession of a stun gun.

He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for the drug charge and one month for possession of a stun gun, to be served concurrently.

The court heard that on June 17, a drugs warrant was executed at Riches’ house.

On searching the property, officers noticed that floorboards in the stairway cupboard appeared loose.

When they were pulled up, a void was located in which 3.5kg of high purity cocaine was found in four black plastic bags hanging from a hook.

Detective Superintendent Neil Ballard, from Specialist Crime, said: “The Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Command will continue to target those who supply large quantities of class A drugs, and bring them to justice. 

“The linking of a stun gun to the possession of these drugs shows the close link between dealing drugs and violence in our communities, which we are determined to reduce.”