Cocaine dealer blew profits on living high life
ADRUG dealer who sold highpurity cocaine in Cardiff spent his profits on expensive holidays and drinking champagne in the garden, a court heard.
Prosecutors at Cardiff Crown Court said 33-year-old Daniel O’Dare’s lifestyle showed he was a successful street dealer with dozens of customers who paid him thousands of pounds.
Recorder Patrick Harrington QC described the offending as “serious”.
The court heard O’Dare was involved in dealing drugs for a two-year period between 2015 and 2017.
Rachel Knight, prosecuting, said police searched his home in Ely on March 30 and seized a bag containing 4.47g of cocaine.
Subsequent analysis revealed the substance had a purity of 84%, which prosecutors described as “high”.
Officers seized a second bag containing 0.447g of cocaine at 79% purity, with the total value of both bags amounting to £500.
The court heard police also found a “tick list” containing 37 names of customers who owed the defendant more than £13,000.
Cash, a mobile phone, digital scales and grip seal bags were also seized.
Ms Knight said the defendant had no legitimate sources of income, but enjoyed expensive holidays and champagne in the garden.
She added: “He was living a lifestyle well beyond his means.”
But the court heard he chose not to pay his water bill or council tax.
Ms Knight argued aggravating factors included the high purity of the cocaine and the prolonged period of offending.
O’Dare, from Michaelston Road, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and being concerned in making an offer to supply the drug.
Adam Sharpe, defending, said his client had no previous convictions.
He told the court O’Dare, who used to work as a postman, became depressed following the breakdown of a relationship and became addicted to alcohol and drugs.
The defence barrister added: “He has shown a desire to get his life back on track.”
He argued his client was not living a lavish lifestyle and suggested the amount of cocaine seized by police from his home was “modest”.
Mr Sharpe added the Probation Service judged him to present a low risk of re-offending.
Recorder Harrington noted there was “powerful mitigation” but told him the offending was too serious for a suspended sentence.
O’Dare was jailed for two and a half years and there will be a hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act.