Drug dealer found with heroin and cocaine in his pants…

Drug dealer found with heroin and cocaine in his pants when searched by police

A drug dealer was found with heroin and cocaine in his pants after he and a colleague were pulled over by police in Cardiff. He was due to head home to the Caribbean three weeks after his arrest and now faces deportation.

Augustus Simmons, 25, and Kenneth Obih, 47, were in a Fiat 500 when their car was stopped by police on July 19 last year, a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard on Tuesday. Officers became suspicious after Simmons got out of the car in Grangetown and carried out what appeared to be a drug deal with another man.

A search of the car took place and two iPhones, a Samsung phone and £380 in a Louis Vuitton bag were seized. Obih gave a false name to police, claiming he was called Jonathan Medina. Both defendants were taken to Cardiff Bay police station where Simmons told officers he had drugs in his crotch area.

Augustus Simmons, 25, was jailed for possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine in Cardiff (South Wales Police)

A package was seized and found to contain one wrap of heroin and one wrap of crack cocaine, worth a total of £270. The phones were analysed and police found messages from a contact named "Frank" containing postcodes. It was believed these messages referred to drug dealing via a third party.

Simmons, of Tempest Avenue, Waterlooville, Hampshire, claimed the drugs were for his own personal use, while Obih, of Gladesmere Court, Watford, denied having anything to do with drug dealing and claimed the phone did not belong to him.

Both defendants later pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs of class A, with Obih also pleaded guilty to obstructing a constable and driving without a licence and insurance. Obih has 10 previous convictions, including possession of cannabis, while Simmons was of previous good character.

Kenneth Obih, 47, was jailed for possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine in Cardiff (South Wales Police)

In mitigation for Simmons, Neil Jones said his client had come to the UK from Saint Vincent on a Visa through his sister and had previously lived in "abject poverty". He said the defendant was not allowed to work while in the UK and was being supported by his sister.

Describing how the offence took place, Mr Jones said: "He was invited to attend the Cardiff area by others and foolishly travelled with them to south Wales. He spent a couple of days socialising with others but unfortunately some were more criminally sophisticated than he was. He befriended a female and fell for a sob story, she was in debt and he helped her foolishly. He assisted that female for no financial gain whatsoever and found himself in the Fiat on the day in question affectively following orders."

Hashim Salmman, for Obih, said his client had two children and has found the experience of his remand in prison "particularly challenging". He said: "He has been the subject of partial lockdown and has witnessed multiple suicides including a hanging and hasn't received visits from his family in six months." He said the defendant's mother died while he was in custody and he was unable to attend her funeral.

Judge Nicola Saffman sentenced Obih to a total of 16 months imprisonment. She sentenced Simmons to a total of 12 months imprisonment.

READ NEXT:

You can sign up to our regular Crime and Punishment newsletter here while this interactive tool allows you to check the latest crime statistics for your area:

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here