Drug courier caught with ?16k amphetamine in Just Eat bag
A drug courier with £16,000 worth of amphetamine drove through a hotel barrier to escape from police.
Michael Kent, 32, travelled to Cardiff from Liverpool to deliver the drugs but was intercepted by police and went on to lead a chase into the city centre. He was driving a Kia Sportage when police attempted to pull him over on the A48 between Cardiff and Newport on September 9 before he drove into a hotel barrier, reported WalesOnline.[1][2]
The 32-year-old continued driving by mounting the pavement and drove towards Cardiff city centre, passing through Fairwater and Western Avenue. Newport Crown Court heard Kent drove at excessive speeds through red traffic lights.
He also went on the wrong side of the carriageway. He also threw a glass bottle at the pursuing police car. A police helicopter was deployed to keep sights on Kent.
When Kent approached Castle Street he entered the bicycle lane and the bus lane before going through another set of red lights. He then entered Greyfriars Road and drove through a security barrier for the Leonardo Hotel car park causing more than £5,000 worth of damage.
He was arrested in the car park and police discovered an orange Just Eat bag on the passenger seat which was found to contain 2,100g of white paste. A further package was also found which was found to contain 1,980g of white paste. The substance was later confirmed to be amphetamine with a wholesale value between £4,000 and £16,000.
Kent, of Cunningham Road in Old Swan, was arrested and said he had panicked after seeing police due to him having drugs in his possession. He admitted transporting the drugs to an address in Cardiff on behalf of his cousin who owed a drug debt. Kent pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance.
Josh Scouller, defending, said his client was a carer for his sister who was partially blind and also had children of his own. Judge Carl Harrison sentenced Kent to 26 months in prison and disqualified him from driving for four years and 11 months.
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References
- ^ Liverpool (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
- ^ WalesOnline. (www.walesonline.co.uk)
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