Teen aimed to sell drugs on streets of Cardiff

A MAN who became a drugs runner after he started smoking cannabis at the age of 14 was caught by police with £1,000 of drugs.

Mujahid Al-Shabazz, 18, from Birmingham, was due to be paid hundreds of pounds for selling heroin and cocaine on the streets of Cardiff.

Speaking at Cardiff Crown Court, his counsel Sarah Palmer said street dealing was an “easy option” when he struggled to find legitimate work.

John Lloyd, prosecuting, said police received reports of a man going in and out of phone boxes removing unknown items from his jacket on November 8 last year.

The court heard Al-Shabazz gave officers a false name and date of birth then tried to run off, but was caught and arrested.

Mr Lloyd said he was found to have a wrap of cocaine weighing 6.69g that was worth about £670.

He also had nine smaller wraps of cocaine and eight of heroin, along with a small wrap of cannabis for personal use.

Prosecutors said the total value of the drugs recovered was around £1,000.

Police also seized £210 in cash and the defendant’s phone, which contained messages relating to drug-dealing.

Al-Shabazz did not answer any questions put to him during his police interview.

The defendant, from Hayeberns Road, Birmingham, admitted possessing heroin and cocaine with intent to supply and possessing cannabis.

Prosecutors said he received a caution in 2015, but had no previous convictions.

Ms Palmer told the court her client started smoking cannabis when he was 14 and found it helped with his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

He was also diagnosed with dyslexia and Asperger syndrome.

She said he struggled academically and had difficulty finding a job.

Ms Palmer added he became a drugs runner when he was 15 and was offered £700 a week to sell drugs in Cardiff on behalf of dealers in Birmingham.

The court heard he is due to become a dad in September.

She suggested he was “immature” but had been open with the police and probation and asked for full credit for his guilty pleas.

Al-Shabazz was sentenced to 30 months in a young offender institution.

An order was made for the drugs to be destroyed and the cash to go to the police.

Judge Eleri Rees advised him to make the most of training opportunities in prison so he can make a better life for himself when he is released.