A BARNSLEY man has been jailed for possession with intent to supply cocaine and money laundering.

Christopher Hewitt, 60, of Park Road, was stopped by police on Doncaster Road on July 27 last year. The car was searched and around £50,000 in cash was recovered from the front passenger footwell of the car.

A further search of a property in Barnsley resulted in the recovery of five kilos of cocaine, approximately £70,000 in cash, a cash counter and drugs paraphernalia.

Following an investigation by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit, Hewitt appeared at Sheffield Crown Court last Thursday.

He was charged with money laundering and possession with intent to supply cocaine. He was subsequently sentenced to 13-and-a-half years in prison and then was given an additional six-month sentence for money laundering offences. These sentences will run concurrently.

Detective Chief Inspector Al Burns said: “We are pleased with the sentence that has been handed down to Hewitt and he is now behind bars for his crimes. Drugs can cause significant harm to people’s health and often responsible for increase in crime in local communities.

“I hope this will serve as a deterrent to people thinking of dealing drugs in our communities. Our officers are committed to targeting and disrupting organised crime throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region.”