Dodgy Drug Deal: Veteran Met Cop Nicked By Fellow-Officers

An off-duty policeman was arrested by his fellow Met officers, who witnessed his dodgy crystal meth deal outside Waterloo station, a court heard yesterday.

Neil Giffard, 50, claimed he had only bought Viagra when the officers caught up with him, but
they found a small amount of the Class A powder.

His twenty-three year career with the Metropolitan Police is now in ruins and Croydon Magistrates Court was told he faces internal disciplinary proceedings and almost certain dismissal.

Giffard, who since being charged has moved into his mother’s home in Brookwood Road, Millbrook, Southampton, pleaded guilty to possessing 2.9 grams of methamphetamine on April 5.

Prosecutor Dwain Coward told the court police were on patrol in their vehicle at 3.40pm outside the busy railway station.

“They were stopped at traffic lights when they noticed the defendant who seemed to be engaged in a drug deal and the officers followed him.

“As they approached the defendant began walking away so they got out of their vehicle and made themselves known to him.

“He did not stop at first and did not believe they were police officers.

“He said he had bought Viagra. He was searched and the officers recovered a bag that contained eight tablets  and a bag containing crystallised powder, the Class A substance.”

First-time offender Giffard was arrested and answered all questions “no comment” during his police interview.

The court heard Giffard had been living in Park Road, Enfield until splitting with his partner and had a desk-bound organisational role following heart problems.

“He is a serving police officer, having joined in 1999 and spending fifteen years with the riot police,” said Chloe Hill, defending.

“He is now organising call-centre staff at three centres and the disciplinary punishment will be far greater than any sentence he receives today.

“It is highly likely he will lose his job, a career that he has worked very hard at.”

In 2019 Giffard learned his heart only functions at 20% capacity and his condition is inoperable.

“He has been seeking medication and that search for effective medication continues.

“He was classed as ‘exceptionally vulnerable’ during the Covid pandemic and his social isolation has been considerable.

“On Boxing Day, 2021 his long-term relationship ended, but he continued to care emotionally and cover the financial strain.

“Mr Giffard says he was not in his right frame of mind and this was a single lapse of judgment when he was at a low point.”

District Judge Devinder Sandhu read eight character references from current and former colleagues of Giffard.

“He is extremely well-respected,” added Ms Hill. “His behaviour that day was completely out of character.”

Giffard has continued working for the Met since his arrest and charge, but that will end with the conviction.

“He will be served with his misconduct papers at the end of today. It will be a fast-tracked procedure,” said the lawyer.

“In these circumstances the assumption is he will lose his job because he has a criminal record.”

Giffard was fined £400, with £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

“I give you credit for pleading guilty to the offence,” Judge Sandu told him. “You have lost your impeccable character and the impact on your career is not completely clear.

“There was an element of planning. You had communicated with whoever gave you the drugs so I cannot accept it was a moment of madness.

“How it is that you came to know who to contact to get these drugs is a concern that the court has. 

“Over the last couple of years you have had a lot going on in your life, which you say led to you doing what you did.”

Commenting on Giffard’s serious heart condition the judge added: It calls into question even more your decision to obtain these drugs.”