Man who spent benefits on drugs jailed (From Sutton Guardian)

Sutton man David Garner who spent benefits on drugs gets jail sentence for intent to supply cocaine

1:50pm Thursday 11th October 2012 in News By James Pepper

A drug user who spent his benefits on cannabis has been jailed after police uncovered a stash of cocaine and cannabis plants at his house during a raid.

David Garner, 28, was jailed for five years and six months at Croydon Crown Court in September after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply a class A drug and producing a class B drug.

Last December police forced entry to his flat on Brunswick Road, Sutton, and found a golf ball size rock of cocaine and five cannabis plants which were ready to be harvested.

Officers from Sutton's Town Centre police team found a black tent equipped with hydroponic lighting and an extraction filter, containing five, 2ft high cannabis plants with a total estimated yield of £2,000.

In the kitchen, officers found a food bag containing cocaine with an estimated value of £1,390.

Police also seized a set of electric scales and £800 cash which was found in a gap between a kitchen cabinet and the fridge.

Garner told police he was a drugs user and the majority of his £102 per fortnight unemployment benefit was spent on cannabis.

Police act promptly on information from local communities about drugs related crimes.

If you have any information that can help, please contact Sutton Police Station on 101.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, an independent charity, on 0800 555 111.