Dealer tried to escape police through window
A DRUG dealer wearing a balaclava tried to escape through a kitchen window after a house was raided by police.
He and others were found in possession of heroin, cocaine and cannabis.
Daniel Joseph, 22, of Rhydyfelin, was in a house in Cardiff raided on February 28 as part of an executed warrant.
The defendant and two other men were searched, resulting in the discovery of drugs and £1,835 in cash.
Among the drugs found at the property in South Morgan Place, Riverside, were 1.32g of heroin with a street value of £60, 2.32g of cocaine with a street value between £90 and £120, and seven wraps of cannabis with an average weight of 1.3g per wrap, had a street value of £70.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on October 28 heard phones, digital scales containing drug residue, clingfilm and a large number of snap bags were also seized.
Joseph, of Tennison Close, Rhydyfelin, was interviewed but answered no comment.
He later pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A, and one count of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class B.
The court heard the defendant had previously been convicted of cannabis possession and robbery, for which he was jailed.
Prosecutor Abigail Jackson said: “He was clearly supplying directly to users and had a significant role due to the expectation of significant financial advantage.”
In mitigation, defence barrister Anisha Kiri said her client became involved in drug dealing through “naivety, immaturity and exploitation”.
She said after being released from prison, Joseph had gained temporary work in Tesco but after that role came to an end he began smoking more cannabis and became involved in dealing cocaine in order to fund his habit.
Mr Kiri said Joseph and his family moved to south Wales from London for a “peaceful life” after the London riots, but the family had suffered tragedy after the suicide of his cousin and the death of his 13-year-old brother, who died in a river.
The barrister added: “The decision was made not to prosecute anyone for his brother’s death.”
Recorder Christian Jowett sentenced Joseph to a total of four years imprisonment.
He will serve half of the sentence in custody before being released on licence.