A cocaine dealer who continued selling drugs to make money after being arrested by police has been jailed.
Connor Briggs was caught with 49 bags of cocaine after a car he was in was pulled over in Benwell, Newcastle and was released under investigation by officers. But seven months later police went to his home and found he was still at it.
Now the 22-year-old, of Mill Farm Close, Elswick, Newcastle, has been locked up for three years at Newcastle Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing criminal property.
Read more: 'Scourge of our community': Newcastle city centre drug dealer jailed after undercover police sting
It was on May 18 last year that police spotted a car in Benwell, in which Briggs was being driven by his partner. The car was stopped and in a bag officers found 40 1g deals of cocaine and nine smaller deals. They were worth up to £3,380.
He was also in possession of crack cocaine worth up to £520 and £500 in cash. He was released under investigation but months later it became clear he was still involved in drug dealing.
When officers turned up at his home on December 7 he initially refused to answer the door but entry was forced and 13 bags of cocaine, worth up to £250, were seized, along with £5,000 cash. Texts also indicated he was involved in supplying drugs.
Jailing him, Recorder Tom Moran said: "You were not a user (of cocaine) yourself, this was all about making money."
Penny Hall, defending, said: "He became involved in drugs supply after struggling to find legitimate employment and struggling financially. It's not something he had done before these offences.
"He recognises the effect of this type of offending on local communities. He has been on remand for a month and it's not been a pleasant situation for him. It's his first time in custody."
Speaking after the sentencing, detective sergeant Chris Johnson, of Northumbria Police, said: “We hope that this case serves as a reminder to anyone looking to make money from selling illicit substances in our communities that you will be vigorously pursued by our teams.
“Tackling organised crime as part of Operation Sentinel remains one of our top priorities, and no-one should have to live with this type of criminality taking place in their area.
“We would advise any members of the public with concerns about possible illegal activity to contact us as soon as they can. This helps us to dismantle these types of operations quicker and bring those responsible to justice.”
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