A man has been sentenced for drug offences after Royal Mail raised concerns about a suspicious package.

Sam Garrad, 25, of Gorse Road in Thorpe St Andrew, appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday charged with possession and being concerned in the supply of a controlled Class B drug, possession of criminal property and possession of an offensive weapon. 

Officers were contacted in August 2022 by Royal Mail over concerns about a parcel addressed to a property in Gorse Road. 

The package was seized by officers and identified as containing 248g of cannabis, with an estimated street value of £2,480. 

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During a raid at the address in February 2023, £3,605 in cash was seized, as well as herbal cannabis, cannabis resin and edibles containing THC valued at approximately £1,000. 

Drug paraphernalia and a truncheon were also found. 

Digital investigations on seized mobile phones provided evidence of intention to supply the cannabis to others. 

Garrad was arrested and taken to Wymondham police station for questioning before later being charged. 

He was sentenced on Tuesday to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis. 

He was additionally ordered to complete rehabilitation activity requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work. 

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Investigating officer PC Nick Baldwin said: “Drugs have a large, negative impact on our society and we strive to disrupt and stop that behaviour whenever possible.” 

Garrad was issued with three further suspended sentences for the remaining charges, to run concurrently with the previous conviction, and was ordered to pay a surcharge of £1,000. 

These include two months for possession of an offensive weapon, two months for the acquisition, use or possession of criminal property and one month for possession of Class B drugs.