A FROME man who was caught drug driving told police he had started associating with known drug dealers in a bid to find his brother who had gone missing.

The police received a tip-off that Riciotti Molfese had been taking drugs and, when they pulled him over in his car, he told them he had just “scored some drugs”.

They carried out a search of the vehicle and discovered a quantity of brown powder in the centre console, which was later confirmed as heroin. When a drug swipe was carried out, he was found to be over the drug drive limit.

Molfese, 51, of Marleys Way, Frome, pleaded guilty to allegations of drug driving and possession of heroin on February 26 when he appeared before District Judge Angela Brereton at Yeovil.

Ben Winzer, prosecuting, said the police received information that the defendant was driving a vehicle while under the influence of drugs and they pulled him over on Nunney Road in Frome.

After being taken into custody he complied with a blood test which showed he was over the drug drive limit for a cocaine-related substance.

Molfese told the court that at the time of the offence his brother, who was a drug addict, had gone missing and he was trying to find his whereabouts.

He said he only used drugs occasionally but had gone to mix with known addicts to try and talk to them and find some information about his brother.

“I made a really stupid choice and really regret it, and this is going to impact on my life quite severely,” he said.

Molfese was banned from driving for 12 months and fined a total of £240 with £40 costs and a £80 victim surcharge.