A BUILDER and pub boss told a jury at Oxford Crown Court he was shocked to be arrested on suspicion of being part of a drugs conspiracy.

Ryan Davies, of Kelburne Road, Cowley, Oxford, gave evidence for the first time yesterday and denied any involvement in a plot to supply cocaine, a Class A drug, between August 15 and October 12 last year.

Prosecutor Michael Roques said the 33-year-old was in regular phone contact with Gavin Preston, 35, of Astrop Lane, Oxford, who has admitted being part of the conspiracy.

He said Davies also repeatedly visited a garage in Kersington Crescent, Littlemore, which was found to contain 10kg of cutting agents, electronic scales, a hydraulic press and 1.68g of cocaine inside ripped plastic packaging.

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Lewis Power QC, defending, asked his client what he felt when he was arrested, and he replied: “Utter shock.

“It was like ‘what?’ I didn’t know what was going on.”

Asked why he visited the garage Davies said: “It was all work-related, to pick up plastering tools.”

Mr Power said: “Were you aware that there were any drugs in the garage?”

His client said: “No I was not, no.”

The barrister asked: “Were any of your visits to do with drugs or cocaine?”

Davies, who runs the Black Swan pub in Crown Street, Oxford, said: “They were not, no.”

The trial continues.

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