Police net drug stash after dealer jumps into river

Police said officers got help from a paddleboarder after Fynley Jefferies jumped into a river

Police have told how a paddleboarder helped them out after a suspect jumped into a river and tied a bag to overhanging branches.

Officers said they retrieved the bag and found cash and drugs inside.

Fynley Jefferies, 20, had run off after being spotted in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, in August, police said.

He was jailed earlier this week after admitting a number of offences.

'Jumped into river'

"Neighbourhood officers were on patrol in St Neots on 21 August last year when they spotted Fynley Jefferies sat on a fence on Hardwick Road with a ...bag across his front and a black plastic bag," said Cambridgeshire Police, in a statement.

"As they turned round to speak to him, [he] ran off, went through some bushes and jumped into the river.

"He stayed in the water for a few minutes and was witnessed tying his ...bag to some hanging branches before getting out to meet officers.

"The team approached a member of the public with a paddleboard and with their help were able to retrieve the ...bag, which contained £325 in cash as well as cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine, with a street value of £2,000."

A judge at Cambridge Crown Court handed Jefferies, of Parker Close, Eynesbury, near St Neots, a prison sentence of three years and 11 months.

He had admitted offences including possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply MDMA, possession of cannabis, harassment without violence and malicious communication.