Accused detective ‘collected cocaine’

Julian Dunnill, a forensic scientist for 22 years until the laboratory closed last year as part of Government cutbacks, said the cocaine and two other exhibits, which turned out to be ketamine and diazepam, were brought to Wetherby on February 10, 2010.

Leeds Crown Court heard they were among items seized following the arrest of a man called Michael Fox by the Organised Crime Group, of which policeman Nicholas McFadden was a member.

Mr Dunnill said that same day the drugs were analysed by a member of staff. White powder weighing 905 grammes was found to be eight per cent pure cocaine which had been cut with other anaesthetic drugs.

A small sample was subsequently sent to Birmingham but the rest remained in a secure store until collected on August 10 by Detective Constable McFadden.

The original wrappings had been collected separately by another officer on February 12 to be taken for fingerprinting and DNA checks and Mr Dunnill said because of that the drugs were replaced into new bags securely fastened inside another bag which was sealed.

A form, attached in a plastic sleeve, was signed by the member of staff handing over the drugs and the collecting officer.

The jury heard when McFadden’s locker was searched following his arrest in October 2011 the plastic drugs wrapping was found along with the plastic sleeve. The prosecution claims he never replaced the drugs into the secure store at the Crime Group premises.

McFadden, 38, then of Pasture Drive, Castleford, denies four charges of stealing drugs and four of conspiracy to supply. His brother Simon, 41, of Darfield Place, Leeds, denies four charges of conspiracy to supply and one of money laundering.