A drug dealer was caught with 40 kilos of speed hidden in a secret compartment in a car boot on the A19.
Adam Dowd, 32, was bringing the huge consignment of drugs from Liverpool to Teesside when he was pulled over by a mobile patrol.
The mammoth haul was described by police as among "the largest discoveries from a single stop".
Dowd was stopped in a Chrysler Grand Voyager at the junction of the A19 and A174 at about 11.40am on June 27.
A sniffer dog smelled drugs in the car when it was taken back to the police station.
A search revealed that the Voyager had been modified, Teesside Crown Court heard on Tuesday.
There was a metal plate under the boot, a wire under the back seat and a hydraulic arm which officers could not operate.
Prosecutor Jenny Haigh said: "The plate had created a secure hidden compartment."
Police forced the compartment and found 20 large packets of white and yellow powder inside.
Amphetamine worth up to £100,000
Dowd, the sole occupant of the car, said as he was escorted to a custody area: "I don't think it's Class A."
The powder turned out to be 40kg of amphetamine, a Class B drug, worth £60,000 to £100,000.
He was the owner and registered, insured keeper of the Chrysler, but police could not determine his correct address.
Dowd admitted possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply.
He had 10 offences on his record including a four-year jail term for producing cannabis and possessing the drug with intent to supply in 2014.
Michele Turner, defending, said: "The defendant didn't know what was in that secret compartment.
Courier's world 'imploded'
"As a result of that cannabis farm being found in 2014, he was still found liable for the loss incurred.
"He was managing to satisfy that debt. He was in work, working away in Wales.
"But sadly that contract came to an end. That just imploded his world, financially."
She said he was evicted from his home because of rent arrears and ended up homeless when he was drawn into the latest drugs enterprise.
"He now accepts it was a very foolish decision to get involved in this endeavour," added Ms Turner.
Still in debt to dealers, he was told to get the Chrysler and take it to a garage where the modifications were made.
'He makes inappropriate decisions'
"He asserts he had no knowledge of where the compartment was, how to open the compartment.
"He was simply told when it was ready to be collected.
"He took the courier role from Liverpool to Teesside. He was due to be paid £500 on delivery of whatever was in that secret compartment."
Letters from his family and ex-partner said Dowd was a "decent chap" who could lead a law-abiding life.
"He just makes very inappropriate decisions that prove costly," said Ms Turner.
Judge Howard Crowson told Dowd: "I'm afraid to say that's a fairly well-travelled path to get drugs into Middlesbrough.
"There was a secure compartment of which you were aware even if you didn't have direct access to it yourself.
"It's a very sophisticated piece of kit.
"It's impossible for me to overlook the fact that anybody entrusted with that level of drugs would have some understanding of what they are doing."
Cross-Country drugs rings
Dowd, whose address was recorded in court as Barnard Road, Prenton, Merseyside, was jailed for four years and eight months.
Speaking after the case a Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “The stop of this vehicle resulted in officers finding £200,000 worth of amphetamine which Adam Dowd had tried to conceal.
"This is an example of how officers dedicated to the fight against drugs have seized thousands of pounds worth of amphetamine which was intended for the streets of Cleveland.
"Anyone who may have information regarding drugs activity in their area is urged to contact police on 101, so that action can be taken.”
