A Perth man caught in possession of cocaine attempted to snort away the evidence as he sat in the back of a police van.
Steven Downie was stopped by police on patrol in the city on December 31 last year.
As they chatted to the 20-year-old, they realised he was under the influence of drink or drugs as he was behaving in an erratic manner.
Their suspicions were further aroused when they spotted white powder around his nostrils.
Downie was arrested and during the short trip from North Methven Street took the opportunity to dispose of the evidence.
As officers checked on him, they saw Downie snorting powder from the palms of his hands.
A search at the police station revealed he had been hiding two bags of cocaine, valued at around £100.
Solicitor Louise Brown said her client had been heading to a New Year’s Eve party and had bought the drugs beforehand.
She added: “This is his second conviction for possession.”
Downie, of Garth Avenue, admitted being in possession of cocaine.
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis imposed a fine of £300 and warned the accused about indulging in his habit.
“Aside from anything else, it quite often has an effect on a person’s behaviour and they become aggressive and confrontational,” he said.