A Welwyn Garden City drug dealer was jailed for three years on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, after being caught with over £9,000 worth of crack cocaine in his bedroom.
Hertfordshire police raided Ben Morris’ address after he had been seen acting suspiciously in a black BMW outside Birchwood House on Panshanger Drive.
Prosecutor Philip Farr told St Albans Crown Court that 23-year-old Morris refused to open the car door and was seen to put something inside his pants and to dismantle a burner phone.
“He refused to stop what he was doing and grant access to the police so the front passenger window was smashed and he was arrested,” said Mr Farr.
No drugs were found in a search of him, but £190 was recovered from his back pocket.
In his bedroom the police found a safe, containing £1,580 and 93.1 grams of crack cocaine with a street value of £9,310. A further £685 cash was hidden in a photo album and there was a 137 grams of a cutting agent and a small amount of cannabis.
There was also a pair of £520 designer trainers in a shoe box, consistent with him being a drug dealer, said Mr Farr.
The search also resulted in the discovery of a crossbow, Samurai swords and large combat knives.
Morris of Heronswood Place, Welwyn Garden City appeared for sentence having pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, possessing cannabis and possessing criminal property.
Defending, Jane Carpenter said Morris had been addicted to crack for 18 months to two years. In July 2020 his skull was fractured in an attack carried out by his drug dealer.
“Once out of hospital, he had to work for the dealer,” she said.
In a basis of plea he said he had been selling drugs five or six days a week in return to crack.
Since being remanded in custody Ms Carpenter said he had come off drugs and was making plans for his future.
Refering to the attack in 2020 and his drug dealing, Judge Michael Kay QC told him: “If you get yourself involved in drugs this is exactly the sort of result that can occur. Those higher up the chain prey on those lower down the chain. They need people to sell and store drugs.
“You were storing almost £10k of drugs, you had a cutting agent, a safe,a considerable amount of money and a frightening store of weapons.
“You were playing a major operational function within this chain. You had an awareness and understanding of the operation.”
The judge order the forfeiture of the drugs, cutting agent, cash, trainers and the weapons, which he said could not have any lawful purpose.
