TWO men who were caught out in a car drug-dealing in a village near Solihull late on a Sunday night have been jailed.
Harry Floyd and Luis Johnson pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to possessing cannabis with intent to supply, while Floyd also admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply.
Floyd (22) of Northdown Road, Solihull, was jailed for two years and seven months, and Johnson (24) of Hurst Lane, Tipton, near Dudley, was jailed for ten months.
Prosecutor Graeme Simpson said that at 10.30 at night on Sunday 2 September 2018, the police spotted a VW Golf being driven at speed in Hockley Heath, near Solihull.
The officers followed it as it turned into a side street where it stopped, and when they went over to speak to the driver, Floyd, they could smell cannabis.
So both Floyd and his passenger Johnson were searched, and a quantity of cash, cannabis and dealer bags was found on them, and Floyd also had four wraps of cocaine in his sock.
Their phones were seized and found to contain messages showing they were involved in drug-dealing, and Johnson made admissions in relation to cannabis, said Mr Simpson.
Floyd’s home was also searched by officers who found a further large amount of cash – taking the total seized from him to £5,975 which has been forfeited under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Mr Simpson, who said that the total value of the drugs seized from the pair was £225, added that Floyd, who made no comment when he was interviewed, was of previous good character, while Johnson had ‘unrelated convictions,’ including burglary.
Police delays
Nick Devine, for Floyd, said: “Prior to these matters he had no convictions, and he has been extremely honest and frank with the author of the pre-sentence report.
“He knows full-well he’s facing a custodial sentence of some length.”
But he pointed out it had taken ‘quite a long time to get to this stage,’ with the two men being interviewed the day after they were arrested – but not charged until late last year.
William Douglas-Jones, for Johnson, said: “He does have previous convictions, but no convictions for drugs, and no convictions as an adult.
“He is himself a heavy user of cannabis and has described himself to the [pre-sentence report] author as dependent, although he has reduced his consumption since this offence.”
‘Street dealing’
Jailing the two, Judge Barry Berlin told them: “Sunday the 2nd of September 2018, at half past ten in the evening, saw you Floyd driving a VW Golf in Hockley Heath.
“You were both plainly street-dealing, and you Floyd were dealing in a class A drug. You had two phones and a total of £1,315 in cash, and at your home was found a further £4,660.
“Those who get involved in selling controlled drugs of whatever type do so for high rewards – and they also risk high penalties when they get caught.”
And he told Johnson: “This offence was motivated and underpinned by financial motives. It is too serious to suspend the sentence.”
