Man jailed for storing cocaine; Addict was being used by suppliers

A MAN caught storing a kilogram of near-pure South American cocaine was jailed for nine years - after a judge's warning to debt-ridden addicts.
Gary Curran's downfall began when his own habit left him owing his supplier a small fortune.
The 40-year-old came under pressure to settle up by storing stockpiles of cocaine and amphetamine.
But police seized the drugs, including pounds 1,000 of high-grade cocaine smuggled into the country by underworld importers, during a raid at the home he shared with his elderly mother.
Curran, from Adelaide House, Benwell, was given a nine-year sentence even though he has only one minor conviction for disorder and admitted possession with intent on the basis he was storing and not supplying.
Judge John Evans warned others had to learn that courts would get tough: "The fact you were acting as a keeper, rather than an immediate supplier, assists you only to a limited degree.
"Those who engage in drug dealing of this kind know fine-well people with limited criminal histories will attract very little attention from the police.
"They are very useful to the professional drug dealer, who can avoid involvement in handling the drugs by using people such as you."
Judge Evans said those pressured to store drugs could expect little sympathy from the court.
He added: "You must refuse when those who call at your door put pressure on you to engage in this conduct.
"Offences of this kind attract long sentences, even for those who have not been in trouble before."
Police raided Curran's home last November and recovered the cocaine - still in its import packaging and some up to 86% pure - as well as almost 14kg of amphetamine.
The drugs were worth pounds 82,000 on the streets.
Curran went on to tell police he had become addicted to cocaine after breaking up with the mother of his children.
"He ran up debts and suppliers suggested he had to work off the debt by holding on to the drugs seized by the police," said Tim Parking, prosecuting.
Curran's only previous conviction was for public disorder in 1994.
"He is the epitome of a target for those people who deal higher up the chain," said Carl Gum-sley, defending.
CAPTION(S):
JAILED: Gary Curran
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