A drug dealer who attempted to evade police by eating a 'cocaine sandwich' was eventually caught after trying to recruit holiday cover for his drug deliveries while he went to Ibiza. Matthew Mitchinson, 20, from Carlisle, Cumbria, was jailed for three years at Carlisle Crown Court after admitting drug supply offences.
The incident began in July 2024 when police approached Mitchinson, who tried to throw three cocaine wraps and £290 into a bush. He then attempted to hide the wraps by placing them between two slices of bread and eating them, which led to him being taken to hospital after falling ill.
A police search of his home uncovered an ounce of high-purity cocaine and a mobile phone containing drug-dealing messages. Prosecutor Tim Evans described one message from July 27, where Mitchinson sought someone to take over his deliveries while he holidayed in Ibiza, calling it 'plainly a street dealing enterprise.'
Two-and-a-half weeks later, police raided the home of co-defendant Henry Lovell, 19, who tried to flee while handcuffed but ran into an oncoming police car. Upon returning to Lovell's home, officers found Mitchinson inside with bags, gloves, digital scales, and 62 wraps of cocaine. Mitchinson claimed, 'I've done nothing wrong; I've come to see a pal,' but fingerprints of both defendants were found on the drug-dealing equipment.
Mitchinson admitted two counts of being concerned in cocaine supply and possessing the Class A drug with intent to supply. He had seven previous drug offences. His barrister, Kira Unsworth, said he expressed genuine remorse and claimed his offending was motivated by financial struggles for himself and his mother, stating, 'In his words, it was so they could put food on the table.' The court heard he had used cocaine since age 16 but had engaged with drug services in custody.
Judge Nicholas Barker noted Mitchinson was the 'more experienced' drugs criminal and jailed him for three years. Lovell, who admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and escaping lawful custody, was given a two-year suspended sentence with 240 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days. His barrister said he had been addicted to cocaine after suffering bereavements but had now kicked the habit.
