A DRUG dealer and a courier are facing lengthy prison sentences after being caught with cocaine worth as much as £400,000.

Middlesbrough men Marc Gofton, 24, and Louis McQuade, 26, will finally learn their fates at Teesside Crown Court next month.

The pair were due to be sentenced yesterday, but the case was adjourned because Gofton disputes the level of his involvement.

A Newton Hearing - a short trial without a jury - will be held by a judge on June 10 to determine the extent of his culpability. He was the driver of a Volkswagen Golf stopped by police at Urlay Nook, near Durham Tees Valley Airport, on January 12.

A red rucksack containing nearly 1kg of high purity cocaine - worth up to £304,000 - was found with passenger McQuade.

Police searched Gofton's home and uncovered more drugs with a potential street value of £96,000 in drawers in a bedroom.

Digital scales, money bags, a dealer's list and benzocane - a cutting agent used to dilute cocaine - were also recovered.

Gofton pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply, and McQuade admitted one count.

The court heard that McQuade travelled to London in the morning and returned on an afternoon train to Darlington. He was captured by closed-circuit television cameras leaving the station with the rucksack and getting into Gofton's car.

In their police interviews, McQuade did not answer any questions, and Gofton gave various accounts for his involvement.

Lesley Kirkup, prosecuting, told Judge Peter Fox yesterday that Gofton initially gave police a prepared statement.

Later, he claimed he was looking after the drugs in his home to settle a £800 debt he had run up with his dealer.

Judge Fox ordered a Newton Hearing after saying his level of involvement was important, and the difference in sentence could be years.