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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Strong cannabis smell following road accident exposed Swansea dealer to police David O'callaghan Thisissouthwales Thursday 06 Jan 2011 Constable Edward Jones became suspicious when he spoke to Matthew David Thomas at the scene of a road traffic accident in Pontarddulais last February, a judge was told. Thomas denied having any drugs on him, but a search of his clothing revealed a plastic bag containing herbal cannabis worth £270. Questioned about the discovery, he replied: "I was just going to drop it off at my mate's." Constable Jones then found other bags containing herbal cannabis worth £25 and cannabis resin worth £80, said prosecutor Nicola Powell. A further quantity of herbal cannabis, worth £28, was discovered when officers searched a bedside cabinet at the defendant's home. Also found was a mobile phone containing text messages relating to the supply of drugs. The seizures were described yesterday when Thomas, of Courtlands Way, Ravenhill, narrowly avoided losing his liberty at Swansea Crown Court. Judge Paul Thomas QC imposed a nine-month jail sentence but suspended it for two years after the 22-year-old pleaded guilty to supplying herbal cannabis and cannabis resin as well as possessing both Class B substances with the intention of supplying them. He also ordered Thomas to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the community. Geraint Walters, in mitigation, said the defendant and a group of drug-using friends and acquaintances would obtain herbal cannabis and cannabis resin for one another. Thomas had been supplying the drugs as a way of funding his own habit. "He is a naïve young man of hitherto good character who readily concedes that he did not apply much thought to the consequences of his actions," said the barrister. "He is now mortified by the position he finds himself in. "His parents are finding it very hard to come to terms with what he has done. They simply did not know what he was up to." It was significant, added Mr Walters, that the defendant had told a probation officer that he was determined not to get himself involved in any behaviour of this kind in the future. Sentencing, Judge Thomas told Thomas: "Those who get involved in dealing with drugs — even Class B drugs — can expect prison sentences to follow." However, it was "just possible" to suspend imprisonment in Thomas's case because he had no previous convictions and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. "You have been given a merciful sentence today," added the judge. "You will not get a second one." postnews@swwmedia.co.uk http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Strong-cannabis-smell-exposed-dealer-police/article-3070131-detail/article.html
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