Drug dealer told police cash found in flat was won through gambling
COCAINE AND CANNABIS SEIZED
A Heavy-drinking cocaine user was found with cannabis scattered around on the living room floor and stashes of cash totalling £1,400 after worried police went to a property when a 999 call was suddenly aborted.
Alcoholic Michael Colrein later tried to pretend that he had accumulated the cash from his lucky winnings at gambling and from money that he had managed to save, Hull Crown Court heard.
Colrein, 51, of the Wawne Road area of Bransholme, Hull, admitted four offences of possessing drugs, including cocaine and cannabis, with intent to supply on July 23, 2020.
Cathy Kioko-gilligan, prosecuting, said that, at 11.30pm, police went to the property as a result of an abandoned 999 telephone call.
Colrein came downstairs. “On seeing the police, the defendant immediately turned around, retracing his steps back upstairs,” said Miss Kioko-gilligan.
The police could smell cannabis and there was a clear plastic bag containing the drug. “Cannabis was scattered around on the floor,” said Miss KiokoGilligan.
Colrein was under the influence of alcohol and he was unsteady on his feet. His speech was slurred and he was arrested and taken to Clough Road police station.
Drugs valued at a total of £4,101 were found in the house as well as drugs equipment, a number of phones and £1,400 cash. Colrein told police he had been out drinking at a pub that day and drank daily. He claimed that the drugs were for his personal use and that he had won the cash gambling and that he had legitimately saved the rest.
Colrein had convictions for 52 previous offences, mainly for dishonesty, but also for possessing drugs, violence and public disorder. His most recent conviction for possessing drugs was October 2016.
Nigel Clive, mitigating, said that, at the time, Colrein had a significant problem with cocaine but this was no longer the case.
Once the “fog of his intoxication cleared”, Colrein could see his life for what it was, Mr Clive said. He was a registered alcoholic and he did not work. He had taken cannabis to self-medicate for back problems, but he had tackled his cocaine use.
“He is far more clear of thinking,” said Mr Clive. “He is not a man who was selling drugs for profit. His habit was expensive and many in his circle of friends were drug users to some extent.
“He accepts that he would have been selling drugs because he could not afford his alcoholism and his drug addiction by any other way. He was funding his own habit. He has made some progress.”
Recorder Paul Reid said that Colrein had been dealing drugs “in what could almost be described as a commercial fashion” at the time.
“You have taken steps to sort yourself out, certainly as far as drugs are concerned, and that’s a not inconsiderable achievement,” said Recorder Reid. “Your alcohol intake is clearly totally excessive and will lead to your premature death.”
Colrein was given a 23-month suspended prison sentence and 20 days’ rehabilitation. The £1,400 cash seized will be forfeited.