Sprowston Manor Hotel staff discover drugs in dealer's room

Police were alerted after workers at Sprowston Manor Hotel discovered large bags containing white powder in the room of a guest.

Thomas O’Keefe, 24, was arrested at the luxury hotel on the outskirts of Norwich after the discovery by eagle-eyed room cleaners on July 27, 2021.

Appearing at Norwich Magistrates Court on Tuesday he pleaded guilty to possession of ketamine, a powerful horse tranquilliser and anaesthetic that has become an increasingly popular recreational drug.

He also admitted possession with intent to supply. 

District Judge Elizabeth Hart was told the volume and value of the drugs led police to believe he was playing a “significant role in the supply of drugs”.

Suspicious staff at Sprowston Manor Hotel called police over items found in a guest room (Image: Google)

Prosecuting, Paul Brown said police had been called following the discovery.

“The manager said staff had found a large amount of what they suspected to be drugs in one of their rooms,” he said.

“Police who searched the room found a large Tesco freezer bag containing white powder. The defendant was arrested with the intention to supply. 

“The white power, dealer scales and a large quantity of cash were seized. There was also a large black bag of white power.”

A subsequent search of O’Keefe’s home address at Burgh St Peter, near Beccles, found further drug paraphernalia, a quantity of cannabis and cash. 

Mr Brown said forensic analysis of 683g of white powder had shown it was ketamine with an estimated street value of £17,750.

Judge Hart said O’Keefe would be sentenced at Norwich Crown Court as it has greater powers and that the scale of the drugs involved meant “all options were open”.

He was given unconditional bail until the sentencing hearing. The date has not yet been fixed.