A known drug dealer was found with 97 wraps of cocaine hidden up his bottom, a court has heard.
Kevin Connell, 41, of Coventry Avenue, Netherton, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, February 8, after police spotted him involved in a drug deal. Iain Criddle, prosecuting, told the court that at around 9.30pm on January 9, 2023, officers saw Connell leaving flats on Bianca Street in Bootle on a bike.
Police witnessed the defendant meeting up with two people and making an exchange, before going back into the flats. He was stopped, searched and found with £52.70 in cash and a phone that was ringing.
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Mr Criddle said: “He was then further searched and then produced a bundle of wraps from his backside.” In total, Connell was found with 97 wraps of cocaine worth £5 each, so approximately £495 street value.
He gave a no comment interview, but pleaded guilty, on January 11, to possession with intent to supply cocaine and was remanded into custody. Connell has 32 previous convictions, including in 2008 when he was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment for supplying cocaine out of a hotel room.
Mr Criddle detailed that Connell and two others were dealing drugs from a hotel room in Staffordshire, where they were found with 400 wraps and £1,000 in cash. Connell himself was found with 27 wraps of cocaine on his person.
Paul Lewis, defending, said his client was stuck in a pattern of prison terms and being unable to land back on his feet after being released. He detailed that Connell had been unable to correctly claim benefits because he had incorrectly clicked the wrong box on the online form.
Mr Lewis said: “He found himself released with no means so borrowed money from the people knew from other endeavours. “He now looks back with regret and having had a time in custody, offence free and drug free because he has a long standing addiction, they are for the moment, behind him.”
Judge Recorder Michael Maher said Connell had a “dreadful criminal record” and sentenced him to 44 months imprisonment.
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