A drug dealer found to be in possession of illegal substances valued at more than £83,000 had set up a business operation dealing from the bedroom of his Bridport home, a court heard.
William David Lewis, aged 24, has been sent to prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs as well as possession of a Class C drug, possession of criminal property and the possession of two weapons.
Prosecuting, Alec Williams, told Bournemouth Crown Court that a warrant was executed at Lewis' home address at the time, King Street in Bridport, on November 13, 2020.
General view of King Street, Bridport (Google Maps)
Mr Williams said: "The items found in the search amounted significantly to the running of a business selling drugs from Mr Lewis' home address. And to that end, he had in his property some 7kg of cannabis."
The court heard that the large quantity of cannabis had been analysed by a drug expert to be worth a street value of more than £78,000.
Lewis was also possession of a smaller quantity of two Class A drugs, MDMA and DOC (an amphetamine), which were found in the search at his property.
The total street value of the prohibited drugs found in his possession amounted to more than £83,000.
Mr Williams said the business was being run from Lewis' bedroom.
In addition to the drugs £18,270 was found in cash at Lewis' property, as well as two prohibited weapons, namely two CS cannisters, a small amount of the Class C drug Diazepam and drug paraphernalia, including plastic bags used for packaging and multiple sets of scales.
Mitigating, Jonathan Underhill, said: "You have a very young man here who is 24 years of age.
"He is a man who helps a great many people.
"It is a sad position we find ourselves in today."
Mr Underhill said that for his pre-sentence report Lewis, now of St Swithin's Road, was extremely honest and 'made no attempt to hide what was going on'.
He added: "The large majority of dealing relates to cannabis.
"There was some 70 odd thousand pounds of cannabis and just under £5,000 in terms of Class A drugs.
"He would never deal in and never dealt heroin or cocaine because he said they were far too dangerous.
"There is potential from this young man, once he has served his time, to move on from this.
"He wants to use the time as much as he can so that when he comes out he can be productive and engage with normal society as much as he can."
Mr Underhill said that Lewis first started selling Class B drugs to his friends because he felt that them buying the drugs was too dangerous.
Lewis was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court
The judge, Recorder Emma Zeb, told the defendant: "You appear in court having pleaded guilty to seven separate offences which have been set out in an indictment.
"On the 13th of November police had cause to search your property.
"You initially tried to refuse entry but officers did enter.
"I note that you are a man who was and still is a car mechanic."
In character references, Miss Zeb said Lewis had been described as a man who was kind, supportive and reliable.
She added: "You have a number of people willing to speak on your behalf."
Lewis was sentenced to an immediate custodial sentence of 30 months and 3 weeks.
Miss Zeb ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all the drugs and weapons found and a Proceeds of Crime hearing is to be held in relation to the cash.
He must also pay a £190 victim surcharge.
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