Posted on the 30th December 2025 in PHTM News
FORTY FIVE MONTHS' JAIL FOR WARRINGTON CABBIE CAUGHT WITH DRUGS WORTH OVER £250K
Cabbie Alex Verdin, 29, turned drug courier to pay off a cocaine debt has been jailed after leading police on a dangerous late-night chase and dumping packages of drugs in residential gardens.
He was caught with more than £250,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis after attempting to flee from officers in St Helens.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that police tried to stop Verdin’s Kia Niro cab near Collins Green at around 11pm on Sunday, October 12, after it was driven through a road closure caused by a collision at the junction of Bold Lane and Broad Lane.
Instead of stopping, Verdin sped away, driving dangerously, reaching excessive speeds and running a red traffic light “with no consideration for other road users”.
Recorder Gavin McBride told him: “Fortunately for you, no other road users were out as it was late at night, and there was no injury or harm to others that could have been so readily caused.”
The pursuit ended on Carole Close in Sutton Leach, where Verdin abandoned the vehicle and ran off on foot. An officer saw him throw packages into nearby gardens before he was detained on Quick Fields Drive.
The discarded packages were recovered and found to contain cocaine. A search of the taxi revealed 27 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis.
Police also searched Verdin’s home in Great Sankey, Warrington and seized around £2,000 in cash.
In total, officers recovered 12.2kg of cannabis with a wholesale value of up to £81,000 and a potential street value of more than £180,000. Around 1kg of high-purity cocaine, valued at up to £99,500 at street level, was also seized.
Verdin admitted dangerous driving and possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis. The court heard he had agreed to act as a courier to repay a drug debt caused by his cocaine addiction.
Defending, Matthew O’Neill said Verdin was a hard-working taxi driver who was not living a lavish lifestyle and had become addicted to cocaine, using it daily.
He added that the married father of two had found his time on remand “traumatising” and had sought help to address his addiction.
Verdin, who appeared via video link from HM Prison Liverpool, was sentenced to 45 months in prison. He was also banned from driving for 12 months on release and must pass an extended driving test before driving again.
The court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.
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