A CROSS-PENNINES drugs deal was busted by police who were lying in wait in a supermarket car park as the exchange was carried out.

Mathieu McEvoy brought a huge stash of amphetamine from the north west and received £11,840 from Darlington man George Bell, 49.

Bell was said to have been recruited on just one occasion to pay back his dealer after he got into debt through his own drug use.

Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday (Tuesday, June 23) how a third person was "pulling the strings" and directing the men to the handover last August.

Detectives had other people under surveillance and knew of the deal, but were surprised when they arrested people they did not know.

Bell, of Middleton Street, Darlington, had not been in trouble for more than 15 years and was carrying out a "one-off" job.

His barrister, Duncan McReddie, told the court: "It is, I submit, clear from the evidence that at the time he was being directed.

"It is clear from the questioning in the police interview, they had no idea he was involved in whatever operation they were involved in."

Dad-of-four McEvoy, of Millcroft, Liverpool, was involved in the swap - handing over drugs potentially worth £333,000 on the streets.

The 33-year-old's barrister, Christopher Knox, told the court that a conviction for money laundering two years ago had "ruined" him.

Mr Knox said McEvoy lost his home, car and career after being jailed for two years, but was "motivated to work" and has a job to go to.

McEvoy was jailed for two years after he admitted conspiracy to supply Class B drugs on August 7. He will be released soon, however.

Bell received a 20-month prison sentence, and was freed immediately as he - like McEvoy - has been in jail on remand since their arrests.

Mr Knox said: "The fact he walked into what was clearly a prepared incident with the police there shows his limited involvement."

Mr McReddie added: "This was genuinely a one-off. He didn't know precisely what he was transporting but knew it was of significant value."

The court heard how police swooped as McEvoy's Alfa Romeo and Bell in his Fiat left the Sainsbury's store in Clifton Road, Darlington.

Judge Howard Crowson described the 9.84kg of drugs as "a relatively significant amount" and decided both men had been "couriers".