Man sentenced after transporting drugs by rail

Adam Chothia, 21, was caught at Blackpool North station

Author: Louisa KingPublished 6th Sep 2024

A 21 year old man who was caught using the railway to transport class A drugs has been sentenced.

Following his arrest by British Transport Police County Lines taskforce, Adam Chothia, of Heys View Huddersfield, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article, two counts of possession with intent to supply a class A drug (cocaine and heroin) and possession of a class B drug (cannabis).

He was jailed for 21 months suspended for 18 months at Preston Crown Court on Monday September 2 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £187.

The court heard how, on Monday 20 May, officers from BTP’s County Lines taskforce spotted Chothia leaving Blackpool North station behaving suspiciously and using two mobile phones one of them a burner phone.

When officers approached him and identified themselves Chothia’s furtive and evasive behaviour further raised their suspicions.

He admitted he was carrying a small amount of cannabis and was detained for a search during which officers found an eight inch Rambo style knife in his waistband.

He was also found to be carrying cocaine and heroin with a street value of almost £5,000 along with the cannabis.

Investigating officer DC Andrew Margerison said: “Anyone who uses the railway to transport and trade in illicit drugs should know that it is just a matter of time before we catch them.

“We have eyes everywhere and our highly trained specialist officers know just what to look out for.

“Anyone involved in criminality on the railway should expect us at every turn. They may not spot us but we’re watching them.” {{News}}