BEING found in possession of cannabis while visiting a friend in prison has cost an Ipswich man more than �300.

BEING found in possession of cannabis while visiting a friend in prison has cost an Ipswich man more than �300.

Bury St Edmunds magistrates heard John Packer, of Pearse Way, Purdis Farm, went to see an inmate at Highpoint jail in Stradishall on February 2.

Prosecutor Emma Lister said while the 47-year-old was there a prison officer noticed him passing an object to the prisoner, who then swallowed it.

Packer was subjected to a strip search and police were called.

During a search of his company van by a drugs' dog, a six-gram wrap of cannabis with a street value of �25 was discovered.

The court was told Packer said he had paid �40 for it and that it was for his personal use.

Packer, who has 16 previous convictions for 73 offences - four of which were drug-related - pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis.

Magistrates fined Packer �240 and ordered him to pay �60 court costs along with a �15 victim surcharge.

They also ordered forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis.

No charge was ever laid against Packer relating to the alleged object which the prisoner was said to have swallowed.