TWO men were jailed after a lengthy police operation observed them hiding high-value drugs among undergrowth at a farm site.

Covert recordings taken in a lengthy surveillance operation revealed Sam Turnbull on several occasions delving among shrubbery at The Hold Road Farm, near Sherburn Hill, County Durham.

In one film clip, Turnbull, who lived in a converted barn at the farm, was seen putting two white packages in separate places, near a fence and a hut.

Durham Crown Court heard that police found two bags the size of golf balls at each spot, but left them at the scene.

Ros Scott Bell, prosecuting, said initial recordings were made last year, in January, then in October, when Turnbull and co-accused Frederick Pearson were both again seen rummaging in undergrowth.

Police raided the premises, arrested Turnbull and carried out a search. Officers found plastic bags round the site containing a total of 220 grams of cocaine, while rubber gloves bearing traces of the class A drug were recovered from a car and a kitchen.

Ms Scott Bell said 10.8 grams of 77 per cent-pure cocaine were found in Turnbull's bedroom and scales were recovered from a wardrobe.

In addition, 9.42 grams of cocaine were seized from a spare bedroom.

Turnbull claimed the drugs found at the house were for his own use, while Pearson denied involvement. Both admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply at previous hearings.

Jane Waugh, for Turnbull, said he was warehousing the drugs, as he had gambling debts, which had involved the loss of a £30,000 inheritance at one stage.

Tony Hawks, for Pearson, said he played a limited role, for which he gained nothing.

Turnbull, 27, was jailed for four years, and Pearson, 31, of Elemore Lane, Easington Lane, near Houghton-le-Spring, was given a two-year sentence.

Judge David Bryant said they became involved in what appeared, "a very substantial drug-dealing enterprise", for which warehousing is an important element.

lf at the hands of someone he She added that he found himsefelt he could not refuse when asked to store the drugs, and in exchange received a small amount of cocaine.