Drug dealer sold cocaine from hotel in capital

A DRUG dealer who travelled from Birmingham to Cardiff sold crack cocaine while operating from a Travelodge hotel.

Ismaeel Javed, 21, was arrested following an investigation by police who attended a Travelodge hotel in Cardiff on September 16, 2021. Intelligence had been received that drugs were being sold by people staying at the hotel.

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday heard police approached a room which had a “Do Not Disturb” sign on it, but used a card key to access the room. They found Ismaeel Javed with co-defendants Yusuf Jawed, 21, and Jubayr Mousaf, 21, and two other men.

Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir said Javed was found in possession of 12 wraps of crack cocaine worth £120, and a fake wrap. He was also found in possession of £400 in cash and a mobile phone, which was seized along with phones belonging to Jawed and Mousaf.

Messages were found on all three phones which indicated the defendants were involved in drug dealing. CCTV from the Travelodge showed Javed coming and going from his hotel room for short periods of time, with the prosecution stating he was dealing crack cocaine during those trips.

The court heard the defendants had travelled to Cardiff from Birmingham the day before. Upon his arrest, Javed claimed he was being forced to sell drugs.

The defendant, of Mardon Road, Birmingham, later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs, and being concerned in supply of class A drugs. Jawed, of Sladefield Road, Birmingham, and Mousaf, of Hangleton Drive, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Javed was stentenced to four years imprisonment. Jawed was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 16 months. Mousaf was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.