Alleged drug dealing PC ‘dropped cocaine bag at school’

Mr Lake told the court that at the time of Talbot’s suspension he was working within the serious crime division at Nexus House.

An investigation began after the drug wrap was found and he was searched at work when officers also found further cocaine on him and in his car, the court heard.

“It was plainly cocaine he had stolen from the GMP property store,” Mr Lake said.

“The cocaine seized from those operations was re-weighed by the forensic science service and just under four kilograms – 3.943kg – was missing from the relevant exhibit bags.

“Four kilograms of cocaine is far too much for personal use, even for someone who was a user, which he was.”

Mr Lake claimed that Mr Talbot had “an unhealthy and criminal relationship with Keith Bretherton” and he was one of his outlets for the stolen cocaine.

When interviewed in February 2020 the officer said he had been a cocaine user since 2012 and had taken the drugs to work because he did not want to leave them at home where his children were.

He said he would buy an ounce at a time for £800.

The trial continues.