A-level student behind bars for drug dealing
A TEENAGE student with dreams of becoming a civil engineer was caught with drugs and a knife after coming under the “control” of a gang.
Sammy El-Husseini had a bright future ahead of him, studying hard for A-levels in maths, chemistry and business.
But his world was turned upside down overnight when he was caught dealing drugs on the street and yesterday he found out he will be spending the next year behind bars.
On Sunday, June 10 officers from the Cardiff drugs squad spotted the 18-year-old acting suspiciously in Glenroy Street in Roath.
The officers, who were not in uniform, saw the teen- ager handing over plastic wraps in exchange for cash. They followed him to nearby Strathnairn Street and observed him deal to more people.
He was arrested and when searched he was found to have 36 wraps of crack cocaine. He also had 13 wraps of heroin and a lock knife.
Police forced their way into a ground-floor flat in Strathnairn Street and discovered a North Face bag containing another 56 wraps of crack cocaine.
Officers also seized a further 18 wraps of heroin along with £247 in cash.
He was charged with supplying heroin and crack cocaine between April 2 and June 10.
The teenager, from Pennsylvania in Pentwyn, was also charged with possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply as well as having a knife in a public place.
He entered guilty pleas to all the charges against him during a hearing in July.
Speaking at his sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, prosecutor Owen Williams said the student had no previous convictions.
El-Husseini appeared over a video link from HM Cardiff Prison.
Detective Constable Ruth Copeland said he was acting as “a runner” for a larger and more sophisticated gang.
His barrister Claire Pickthall said: “He was controlled by those above him in the chain.”
The student wrote a letter to Judge Niclas Parry saying he just wanted to get through his jail term and never return to prison.
He was assessed by the Probation Service and found to pose a low risk of re-offending.
Ms Pickthall said the teenager took full responsibility for his own actions, adding: “He knows that dealing drugs is wrong.”
The court heard it was his ambition to qualify as a civil engineer.
His counsel said: “He is 18 and he has never been in trouble before. He very much regrets the position he finds himself in.”
Judge Parry warned him the starting point for sentence was four and a half years and reminded him drugs cause “utter misery” to users.
The judge said he had no doubt that the teenager was making money from his involvement.
El-Husseini was jailed for two years and must serve half in prison before he can be released on licence.
Judge Parry told him: “Learn this lesson. I hope you make something of your life.”