Man involved in supplying cocaine in Stockton now behind bars

Steven McDowell, of Sadberge Road in Stockton was caught by police in possession of class A drugs.

(Pictured: Stephen McDowell)

Alby Hunt, aged 21, of Rochester Road in Stockton was stopped while sat in the passenger seat and following a search almost £1,000 in cash was found hidden in his underwear along with 13 bags of cocaine.

His arrest led to a property on High Street in Norton being searched by officers.

McDowell, aged 34, was found inside and attempted to flee from police. Officers discovered class A drugs in the bedroom as well as £15,000 in cash, mobile phones and drug paraphernalia.

On Monday 8 June McDowell and Hunt appeared at Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced.

McDowell was sentenced to 45 months for possession with intent to supply cocaine. Hunt was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment suspended for two years for possession with intent to supply cocaine and concerned in the supply of cocaine. He is also required to do 240 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

It began at 3.25pm on Friday 19 September when officers from Stockton’s neighbourhood policing team became aware of a white Audi A4 that had received reports it had previously been driving erratically.

As they travelled along Redhill Road, officers signalled for the vehicle to stop.

Immediately afterwards Hunt was detained, and three mobile phones were recovered as well as drug paraphernalia including unused grip bags and scales and he was taken to police custody.

Upon police attending to the property on High Street, McDowell pushed past officers and fled however they gave chase, and he was stopped nearby while discarding a mobile phone and saying, ‘there’s a load of gear in the house mate’.

Both were later interviewed and subsequently charged.

PC Emma Curbishley, from Stockton’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “Being aware of the reports involving the Audi driving erratically meant we were on the lookout during our patrols.

“This resulted in us spotting the vehicle and immediately initiating it to stop. A subsequent search of Hunt in custody following his arrest led to cash and drugs being found concealed inside his underwear.

“Further searches at an address led us to McDowell who attempted to flee as we arrived however, we quickly gave chase and were able to detain him along with a mobile phone he tried to discard that had evidence linking him to the supply of drugs.

“I want to take this opportunity to remind members of the public that you are our eyes and ears and keep encouraging you to report drug activity taking place within the neighbourhood so we can continue taking this action.”

To report drug activity please call 101 or visit the website.

Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.