TWO men have been handed prison sentences for supplying cocaine to their friends.

Ryan Smith, aged 24, of Eastford Road, Lower Walton, and Bradley Nicholls, aged 20, of Irwell Road, Wilderspool, were in an Audi car that was pulled over by police.

Warrington Crown Court heard last Friday how Smith was found with £190 in cash and five bags of cocaine with deals worth around £220 found in his underwear.

Nicholls was found with £295 in cash and a search of his bedroom found drugs with a street value of around £1,800. He admitted to storing drugs for Smith as well as cutting and bagging the class A drug.

Simon Berkson, defending Smith, said that he had worked hard since leaving school but had been made unemployed and so sold drugs to friends. He added that Smith was only a recreational drug user and had not been in trouble before.

Simeon Evans, defending Nicholls, said that he had stopped using drugs after his arrest and was remorseful of his actions.

Judge David Swift handed Smith a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence and ordered him to pay £390 in a proceeds of crime ruling. Nicholls was given two years in prison for his part in the operation and in a proceeds of crime order told to pay £295.

DC Jamie Thompson, from the Northern Area Dedicated Drugs Unit, said: “Police and the courts take the issue of drug related crime extremely seriously and the sentence handed out in this case reflects that view. Two more young men are now serving prison sentences after getting involved in the supply of cocaine.

“We need the continued support of the public in tackling the issue and would urge anyone with any information to get in touch. The northern area dedicated drugs unit can be contacted directly on 01244 612650 or information can be passed on anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111.”