A couple have been sentenced after being found with a “substantial” amount of drugs.

Roberto Rossi was caught at Dartford railway station in February after deliberately trying to evade uniformed officers.

He admitted being in possession of cocaine after being approached and asked about his behaviour.

After being searched, police found an iPhone, which he denied was his, with incoming messages asking for drugs, as well as more than £1,000 in cash.

He was arrested and a subsequent search of the address he shared with girlfriend Joanne Branscombe uncovered a substantial amount of class A and class B drugs, which resulted in her arrest.

On Tuesday, July 23, the pair were sentenced at Inner London Crown Court.

Rossi pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply a class B drug (ketamine and cannabis), one count of possession of a class A drug (cocaine) and one count of possession of a class B drug (amphetamine).

The 37-year-old, of Hollingbourne Avenue, Bexleyheath, was sentenced to 16 months in jail and ordered to pay a surcharge of £187.

Branscombe pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class B drugs (cannabis and ketamine), possession of a class B drug (amphetamine) and possession of a class a drug (cocaine).

The 44-year-old, of Samson Close, Dartford, was sentenced to 22 months, suspended for two years and ordered to pay a surcharge of £187.

Investigating officer DC Rob Chaplin said: “Anyone who uses the rail network to transport illicit drugs or engage in criminality of any kind, would do well to remember that we have eyes everywhere.

“Our expert officers are specialists in detecting all manner of suspicious activity.

“Blundering Rossi fell foul of this and led us straight to his home where it became clear he and his girlfriend were engaged in a drug dealing operation.

“Thanks to our county lines taskforce these dangerous drugs are now off the rail network and off the streets.

“Our work to stop the trade in drugs via the railway is 24/7 and will never cease.”