Dad and son jailed after cocaine found in fridge

David Berry pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply amphetamine and money laundering

A father-and-son drug-dealing duo were caught when police found a fridge full of drugs, a suitcase stuffed with £250,000 and a rucksack containing cocaine worth £90,000.

David Berry, 66, of Burnley, was described by Lancashire Police as a "significant player" in selling illegal drugs while his son William, 24, was also heavily involved.

They were apprehended when police, responding to reports of men carrying a machete, found the rucksack. The fridge containing cocaine and amphetamine was discovered along with the cash, a knife, and scales at David Berry's breaker's yard.

He was jailed at Preston Crown Court for 10 years while William Berry was given a 15-month term, suspended for two years.

Police received a call on 14 August 2024 from a resident who said he had seen two men in a back yard on Brunshaw Road, Burnley, with a machete and a moped.

While searching for the two men in the property, officers discovered more than 6lb (3kg) of cocaine with an estimated street value of £90,000 in a rucksack that had been left in the loft.

When the pair were arrested three months later a number of weapons, mobile phones and a large block of cocaine were recovered.

A set of keys for David Berry's breaker's yard in Pentridge Mill were also recovered from him, police said.

Cocaine with an estimated street value of £90,000 was discovered in a rucksack by officers searching for David Berry and his son William

During a search of the roof over office space in the unit, officers found a suitcase which contained about £250,000.

The cash was wrapped in plastic bags and large tins.

One of the tins had the name "Will" written on it, police said.

A hydraulic press, plates and moulds with white powder on them were later found.

A fridge containing six large bags of cocaine and amphetamine with an estimated street value of £14,000 was also found, along with a knife, scales and packaging.

Police said further searches turned up large amounts of a suspected "cutting" agent.

When William Berry was arrested he was found with cannabis, mobile phones and £10,000 in cash.

An examination of the phones showed he was heavily involved in drug dealing and had his own Telegram channel offering large amounts of cannabis on a regular basis, police said.

Police found about £250,000 in a suitcase at David Berry's breaker's yard

David Berry, of Roughlee Grove, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply amphetamine and acquire, use or possess criminal property of approximately £250,000.

His son, of Belmont Grove, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis and two counts of acquiring, using or possessing criminal property - one approximately worth £250,000 and the other £10,000.

Det Sgt Stu Peall said: "David Berry was a significant player in the sale of illegal drugs.

"Hopefully the public will be reassured by the sentence handed down, which reflects the seriousness of his offending."