Workman calls police after finding £15,000 of cocaine in South Shields house while installing electricity meter

They have thanked him after he “absolutely did the right thing by picking up the phone” and contacting officers following the “excellent discovery” at a property in Richmond Road, South Shields, earlier this month.

Northumbria Police say he had stumbled across the plastic bags of white powder while carrying out planned work at the address.

The drugs had already been cut into smaller quantities and other drug paraphernalia including a set of scales were also located once officers arrived.

An investigation was immediately launched and a 39-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug with the intent to supply.

Inspector Phil Baker, of Northumbria Police, has now praised the worker by saying: “This was an excellent discovery by a member of the public who was carrying out a job at an address when he stumbled across a significant amount of drugs.

“He absolutely did the right thing by picking up the phone and I would like to thank him personally for his intervention.

"His decision has helped keep these drugs out of the hands of some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”

Northumbria Police are tackling drug problems in the area through their Operation Sentinel campaign, with Inspector Baker adding: “Under the banner of Operation Sentinel, we are committed to ensuring those who supply drugs across our region are brought to justice and I have no doubt that this discovery will have dented the pockets of those behind the operation.”

The man who was arrested by officers has since been released under investigation and inquiries into the discovery, which was made on Thursday, December 3, are ongoing.

Suspected drug misuse or dealing can be reported to Northumbria Police via the Tell Us Something page on the force’s www.northumbria.police.ukwebsite or by calling 101.

Anonymous calls with information can also be made to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The force urge people to always ring 999 if a crime is happening.

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