Debt-ridden Anthony Garlick was jailed for two years for transporting drugs with a street value of nearly £50,000.

Family man Garlick, 40, of Lockinge Close, Didcot, was stopped by detectives driving his car in High Street, Wallingford, in June, Oxford Crown Court heard.

When they looked under the driver's seat they found a package containing 651g of high-purity amphetamine.

The court heard the drugs could be cut and sold on the street for £49,000.

Garlick, a well-known figure to police who had been under surveillance for some time, told officers he was acting as a courier for a drugs dealer and produced an envelope containing £950.

David Bright, defending, said Garlick was considerably in debt and had been paid the cash for a single run.

Mr Bright added: "This demonstrates the quick and easy profits to be made from drugs. It was a huge temp- tation."

Garlick admitted poss- essing a class B drug with intent to supply and possessing a small amount of cannabis found at his home.

Mr Bright insisted there was "nothing to be gained" from sending him to jail.

But recorder Michael Challinor said he would impose a prison sentence to send out a message to others.

Mr Challinor told Garlick: "You were being paid quite a lot of money so you must have been very close to the dealer. If people wish to take part in the illegal supply of drugs they will go to prison."

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