"there were bags of cannabis weighing 115g and 50g."
Hassan Ali, aged 23, of Maindee, Newport, South Wales, was jailed for 49 months for supplying drugs. The drug dealer was released under police investigation only to carry on drug trafficking.
When Ali’s home was raided in May 2020, officers found bags of cocaine and cannabis as well as thousands of pounds worth of luxury goods.
The prosecutor, Paul Hewitt, said that he also had a CS gas canister in his bedroom.
Cardiff Crown Court heard how Ali was first arrested in November 2019 at a McDonald’s restaurant in Newport.
Mr Hewitt explained: “A vehicle being driven by this defendant was stopped on suspicion of it being involved in the supply of drugs.
“After a search of the car, an officer found a 12g bag of cannabis hidden inside a false fire extinguisher.”
Ali was released under investigation. Officers raided his home on May 8 and caught Ali continuing to deal drugs.
Mr Hewitt said: “They found a number of items. There were luxury goods, drug paraphernalia and they recovered from his bedroom cocaine, cannabis and a CS gas canister.
“In a garden shed, there were bags of cannabis weighing 115g and 50g.
“The potential street value of all the cannabis was estimated to be £1,960 and the cocaine £2,800.”
Ali also made a large number of cash payments into his bank account with more than £18,000 being deposited between January 2018 and November 2019.
On both occasions he was arrested, Ali gave no comment during his interviews.
He pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply, two counts of possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Ali had six previous convictions for eight offences, including robbery and attempted robbery when he was a boy, but none for drug dealing.
In mitigation, Christopher Rees said his client was sorry for his offending and asked him to be given maximum credit for his early guilty pleas.
He added that Ali had kept drug-free in prison and wanted to rehabilitate himself away from crime.
Judge Keith Thomas told the drug dealer:
“You had the trappings of someone engaged in the supply of drugs for some time.”
“Communities are beset by the problems caused by drugs. This was a substantial operation.”
Ali was jailed for four years and one month. He is set to face a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing on October 31, 2020.