POLICE who stopped a van in Aberaeron because it had a faulty light found a fugitive on the run, cocaine worth £21,000, £2,700 in cash and a banned driver.

Philip Malcolm Robinson, aged 43, had just bought 54 grams of cocaine at an “importation” level of purity.

Robinson admitted possessing the drugs but denied intending to sell them on. He was found guilty unanimously after a trial at Swansea crown court.

The jury heard how police stopped a Vauxhall van on the A487 on April 16 last year.

Robinson gave a false name but officers decided to search the van.

They found 54 grams of cocaine at a purity level of 70% which could have fetched £21,600 on the streets.

They also discovered Robinson’s real name and that he had absconded before he could be sentenced for an offence of wounding.

And he was banned from driving.

Mr Ibrahim said the £2,700 appeared to belong to Robinson’s passenger.

Robinson told the jury he had bought drugs from a dealer in Aberaeron because he knew it would be “good stuff.”

He said he had paid £600 for the drugs but still owed the dealer a further £2,000.

Robinson claimed he would have snorted the drug at 70% strength but DC Rhodri Treharne said users usually consumed cocaine at between 5% and 17% purity.

Robinson, from Rumney in Cardiff, said he bought from a dealer in Aberaeron because his partner lived in Newcastle Emlyn and he would combine a drugs run with a visit to her.

After the guilty verdict, Robinson was jailed for three years.

Judge Paul Thomas told him he had known the risks involved.

“You knew you would go to prison for a long time if you were caught.

“You took a gamble and it did not come off. Obviously, you thought the risk was worth it and now you have to pay for it,” he added.