Student avoids jail for peddling drugs

A STUDENT peddled Class A drugs on the streets of Swansea and boasted about it, a court has heard.

A judge told Irfan Onur he took “kudos from the notoriety of being involved in the filthy trade” as he sold MDMA and cocaine whilst he studied in the city.

Swansea Crown Court heard how the Londoner was caught out on November 10, 2018 when police stopped his car along Oystermouth Road as it travelled into Swansea city centre.

His vehicle was searched and officers found a number of mobile phones in the vehicle’s central console, whilst there were small amounts of illegal substances on the defendant’s person.

Onur told officers he bought the vehicle the previous week from a garage along Fabian Way. He tried to intimate that other people had been using it, claiming the keys had been moved around his flat.

The 24-year-old, who was 22 at the time of the offences, was arrested and taken to police custody.

A search of his flat was carried out, and police discovered airsoft guns, weighing scales and two separate packages of cocaine estimated to have a street value of £340.

They also discovered 67.62 grams of MDMA estimated to be worth between £1,630 and £3,260.

An examination of his mobile phone found photographs of drugs and messages on his phone indicating he had been supplying drugs, and his ability to do so, whilst some text messages he composed boasted about his status as a drug dealer.

Onur, of Durnsford Road, London, appeared at Swansea Crown Court via Swansea prison videolink for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a class A drug with intent to supply.

Mitigating, Abbas Lakha QC said: “He is genuinely sorry for getting himself involved in what he recognises is a dreadful, dreadful business.

“That remorse is reflected in his guilty plea at the first opportunity.

“This was a wake up call. He was at a crossroads in his life and could not carry on the way he was going. It’s to his credit he has taken charge of his life and is now living by the law.

“He set up his own business after he returned to London and has been drug free the whole period he has been home.

“He lives with his mother and for all intents and purposes is her sole carer. He is the one at home to help her with small tasks she can’t undertake.”

Judge Paul Thomas, sentencing Onur, said: “Text messages on your phone showed you were involved in Class A drug supply, and you were boasting about being a dealer.

“In my view you enjoyed the kudos and notoriety of being involved in the filthy trade.

“You have brought about a great deal of change in your life and got yourself drug free. I have read a number of impressive character references.”

Judge Thomas, informing Onur he had avoided an immediate prison sentence “by the skin of his teeth”, imposed a two-year suspended prison sentence.

Onur must also carry out 240 hours unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.