A MAN found by police with a lump of high purity cocaine in his pocket made an estimated £7,354 from the supply of the drug, a court was told.

That was the figure agreed by both Crown and defence lawyers at a Proceeds of Crime hearing, which followed the conviction of Gary Cowie, earlier this year.

But, due to his means, as he now serves the two-and-a-half year prison sentence, imposed at Durham Crown Court, in January, the only available amount retrievable in crime proceeds is the £172 also seized from him when he was arrested by police, on February 26, last year.

With a trial pending in February this year, Cowie, of Hale Rise,Peterlee, changed his plea to guilty to a charge of possessing a class A drug, cocaine, with intent to supply, having previously denied the offence.

The court was told police, attending another incident, came across Cowie under the influence of drink and drugs, sitting with another man, on a wall near a social club in Peterlee, at 1.10am on February 26, 2017.

His own barrister, Lewise Kerr, said it was a case of him being, “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

The court heard that police found the lump of cocaine in a small bag in Cowie’s front pocket, but they also seized several smaller pieces of the class A drug from his back pocket, loose among some change.

Martin Towers, prosecuting, said the £172 and a mobile phone were also confiscated by police.

The combined cocaine was said to weigh a total of 20.4g, and was of an extremely high purity level, 95-per cent.

Mr Towers said a drug expert put the average purity for high-quality cocaine at 68-per cent.

“It is said the higher the purity, the nearer to the original source the drug is likely to be.”

The potential sale value was estimated at between £1,000 and £1,600.

Text messages recovered from Cowie’s phone were said to be indicative of drug supply, as they included requests from would-be purchasers and discussions about amounts owed.

Mr Kerr, in mitigation, said Cowie was of previous good character. until his arrest.

He said the 30-year-old joiner’s life spiralled into heavy drink and drug use after a series of family bereavements, adding that he bought the drug and sold some among a small circle of fellow users.

On Cowie’s return appearance before the court, by video link from Holme House Prison, Stockton, the crime proceeds figures were agreed by Mr Towers and Mr Kerr.

He was given two weeks to pay the £172, which is already in the possession of police.