A MAN driving a car containing a large cocaine consignment in a concealed boot compartment admitted acting as a “courier” delivering the drug.

But a judge today (Monday December 28) delayed sentencing 32-year-old John Neill as he said he suspected he may have played a greater role than merely driving to aid distribution.

Neill was at the wheel of a Volvo S60 pulled up by police heading southbound on the A1(M), at Bowburn, near Durham, on November 5.

Durham Crown Court heard that a search of the vehicle uncovered seven blocks of wrapped cocaine in a hidden boot compartment.

Christine Egerton, prosecuting, said the packaging on one of the blocks was slightly ripped open, as if offering potential buyers the chance to check its purity.

She said it emerged that each package contained virtually a kilogram of high purity cocaine with potential street sale value of between £855,000 and £950,000.

Mrs Egerton said the estimated wholesale price would have been £315,000, therefore offering a profit in the region of £635,000.

Five bundles of wrapped bank notes to the value of £80,200 were also recovered from the car.

Mrs Egerton told the court she understands the defendant will not contest a police forfeiture request for the recovered money, while the Crown would also seek confiscation of the car.

Neill, of Huyton, in Liverpool, admitted possessing a class A drug with intent to supply at a previous hearing.

But Judge Christopher Prince told today’s scheduled sentencing hearing that the fact Neill had several bundles of bank notes implied, “he was a participant with a responsibility of more than just a courier.”

He said examination of the satellite navigation system recovered from the car suggested Neill travelled from Liverpool to the North-East 13 times from June 6 to November 5.

Neill will remain in custody until January 26.