For my bonus show this week, I turned my attention to the on-going drug problem.
Last March 40-year old Southend man, KIERAN GRANT was pulled over on the M11 after checks revealed that the Skoda Fabia he was driving was uninsured.
Whilst being questioned by officers he was asked if there was anything in the vehicle of which they should be made aware.
Whilst in the circumstances I guess most people would have been tempted to blag there way out of answering the question, Kieran directed their attention to the boot which he said contained drugs, and when questioned further, he said, “a lot of cocaine”.
The subsequent search uncovered 19 wrapped blocks totalling 19kg with a wholesale value of £665,000 and a street value of £1.9m.
Following conviction by Chelmsford magistrates last April, Mr Grant was recently sentenced to 8 years behind bars.
Next time better make sure that your car is fully taxed and insured!
Now as we’ve just seen this man might not have been caught if his car had been fully taxed and insured but as we heard in the second hour, it’s probably also a good idea to keep a close eye, or should that be ear, on your mobile phone.
Yes, incredibly a man being questioned by police on suspicion of drug dealing was rather caught out when his phone went off with the ringtone, ‘Hello, I’m your drug dealer’
48-year old David Owens from Swansea was promptly arrested together with one of his customers, Matthew Wright, who tried unsuccessfully to make a run for it during which he tried to throw away a package her was carrying.
Whilst being searched Owens became agitated before police discovered £180 cash on him.
A subsequent search of his home uncovered wraps of heroin worth around £900 along with three sets of weighing scales, a list of money owed to him by customers, and £7,646 in cash.
The court subsequently heard that Owens had 26 previous convictions for 159 offences, including possession of cannabis, perverting the course of justice and weapons offences!
His defence lawyer explained that Owens, has six children, and an ‘addictive personality’ when it comes to drugs and alcohol and that his life had taken a downward turn after ‘getting in with the wrong people’.
His customer, Matthew Wright, it emerged had 24 previous convictions for 46 offences, and had previously pleaded guilty to possession of heroin.
Seems like their lives have now really gone to pot!
Hope to see you again next week,
Scott