POLICE officers investigating a suspected burglary uncovered cocaine worth up to £2.25 million, a court heard.

Glyn Brockwell, 27, has been jailed for 10 years after he was paid £200 to act as a “runner”. He shook his head in disbelief as the sentence was passed at Maidstone Crown Court.

Family and friends in the public gallery, including his girlfriend who was due to give birth any day, looked visibly upset.

The court heard the day the police found the drugs haul was the first time Brockwell had been asked to act as a runner for Lee Selling. Selling, the prosecution said, was “top of the pyramid”.

It was at 26-year-old’s Selling’s house in Pickering Street, Loose, Maidstone, the 7.7kg of cocaine was found in February this year.

Don Ramble, prosecuting, said two officers went to the address after a report of a break-in. They saw Brockwell, leaving the house with a bag. But when he spotted the police he went back in. Through a window police saw attempts to hide or throw away the drugs.

Mr Ramble said the total value was between £1.5 and £2.25 million.

Brockwell, of Ashford Road, Maidstone, at first denied any involvement with the drugs, but later said he had seen them.

But Ryan Thompson, defending, told the court while at Selling’s house Brockwell was asked to deliver the Hugo Boss bag for £200.

“His role is less significant than Mr Selling’s,” added Mr Thompson. Brockwell, who admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply, was said to be “devastated and disgusted”.

Passing sentence Judge Anthony Balston said despite his minor role the inevitable jail term had to be substantial, adding: “It is one based on the fact you were a runner and not higher up in the hierarchy.”

Selling, who has admitted the same charge, had his sentencing hearing was adjourned.

Sgt Alan Rogers, whose team answered the call to the rear of Norrington Road – which backs onto Pickering Street – at 4.45pm on February 2, said: “While we were in the area, two lads were acting suspiciously, and seeing police, ran into a house and shut the door.

“PC Fran Widdows was the first to spot these two. She chased them, but the door was locked from behind.”

PC Widdows and other members of Sgt Rogers’ team, including Special Constable Kevin Buck, PC Shalim Ali, PC Andrew McLeod, PC Ben Jeffes, PC Desmond Dalzell, PC Matthew Chapman, PC Fiona Brice, PC Andrew Lynn, PC Andrew Turner and PC Alex Bridges, surrounded the house.

“They saw two men panicking inside and forced an entry into the premises,” said Sgt Rogers.

“As the dust settled, we noticed bags of white powder, and saw they had been trying to destroy some powder down the toilet, and also throw away what looked like tablets.”

Officers detained the pair, and estimated they had found between 7kg and 8kg of drugs, worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

“I’ve been in this for 10 years and I have to admit it’s a once-in-a-career type job.

“In a bizarre twist, it also became apparent that the find was nothing to do with what we were called out to.

“Someone was mistaken. There was never a burglary in that area, at that time.”

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