TWO west Cumbrian men who were caught transporting cocaine worth more than £12,000 have admitted being part of a dealing operation – but each has accused the other of being more involved.

A Carlisle Crown Court judge told Egremont man Daniel Ponticelli, 25, and his co-defendant Jack Potter, 22, from Maryport, that a further hearing will be held to establish the facts of the case.

In court, both men pleaded guilty to possessing the Class A drug with intent to supply on February 11. The charge states that the offence happened at Hackthorpe, though not the circumstances.

The value of the drugs involved was £12,300.

Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson confirmed that the drugs were found when police stopped a car that the defendants were travelling in. Judge Nicholas Barker told the prosecutor: “You have two defendants having pleaded guilty and both are essentially blaming their conduct on the other.”

The court heard that both men are of previous good character. The judge said there would now have to be a “defence led” hearing to determine whether one of the defendants was the “assistant” of the other.

If that was the case, who played the main role would also have to be determined.

READ MORE: Library shut because something has died on the roof

Mark Shepherd, for Ponticelli, said the hearing which would look at the issue would deal with telephone evidence, while Mr Rogerson said that evidence appeared to connect that defendant to Merseyside and the collection of the drugs.

Sean Harkin, for Potter, said his client did not accept being “one step up” from his co-defendant in the drugs operation. Nor could he have been sending text messages while driving the car police stopped, said Mr Harkin.

Adjourning the case until June 30, Judge Barker told Potter, of The Brow, Crosby Villas, Maryport, and Ponticelli, of Southey Avenue, Egremont: “You have both now pleaded guilty on a basis which is not consistent, and someone is not being accurate or truthful as to what they say has happened on that journey on this day.

“Clearly, it is important that the judge who sentences you knows who is more heavily involved in the transportation of this cocaine and that is important for each of you. It’s going to be necessary to hear evidence to decide.”

Both men will be sentenced at the conclusion of that hearing, which will determine if one defendant played a more major role and if so who. 

A background report has already been prepared on Potter and one will now be prepared for Ponticelli, added the judge, who granted both men bail until their next court appearance.

Ponticelli originally had an address in Fisher Street, Workington.

READ MORE: Carlisle Alcoholic stole booze from Penrith M&S Food Hall