An Elm Park man who fled the UK to avoid prosecution has been jailed for five years after he was caught in possession of £1,600 worth of heroin and cocaine.

At St Albans Crown Court on Friday, April 27, Don Cole, 29, of Cowdray Way, Elm Park, was sentenced to five years imprisonment for possession with intent to supply heroin and five years for possession with intent to supply cocaine, to run concurrently.

He was given a further two months for failing to surrender to custody.

Det Con Chris Payne from the Hertsmere Local Crime Unit said: “Officers on routine patrol stopped a man acting suspiciously in Ashwood Road, Potters Bar, on October 20, 2016.

“He was searched for drugs and £1,800 in cash and a number of mobile phones were found.

“Officers suspected that Cole had drugs on him and he was further detained.

“He ran off but was detained after a brief foot chase during which time he tried to discard a package, found to contain a substantial quantity of heroin and cocaine, worth at least £1,600.”

The drugs and phones were ordered to be destroyed and the money forfeited by the court.

Cole was arrested, charged and released on bail but subsequently failed to appear at St Albans Crown Court for trial.

He was arrested on November 4, 2017 trying to enter the UK through Glasgow Airport. He was remanded into custody and pleaded not guilty resulting in a four day trial at Crown Court. However, he was unanimously convicted by the jury sitting.

Det Con Payne added: “I am delighted that a drug offender is behind bars and a large amount of Class A drugs has been prevented from reaching the streets.”

He added: “Reports from members of the public make a real difference to our investigations and I would urge anyone who suspects drugs activity in their local area, or in pubs and clubs, to please continue to report it to us. Any information you provide could be the missing jigsaw piece which will lead us to catching an offender.”