When a Hartcliffe man had more than £200,000 taken from him it came to the attention of police. And when they searched Christopher White's home they found him with £651,000 worth of drugs, Bristol Crown Court heard.
As the search progressed police also found quantities of drugs cocaine and ketamine. White, 41, of Chelvey Close, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply the drugs and possessing criminal property.
Judge Euan Ambrose jailed him for 12 years. He told White: "Class A drug dealing causes enormous harm."
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Christopher Smyth, prosecuting, said £212,000 was taken from White in September 2021. When the matter came to the attention of police his home was searched the following month.
The court heard police found five kilos of 50-59 per cent pure heroin valued at £500,000 in White's car. They also uncovered 13g of 70 per cent pure cocaine worth £1,000 and five kilos of 71-86 per cent pure ketamine worth £150,000.
Sanjeev Sharma, defending via video link, told the court: "It was not this defendant's operation. Others were higher up. That he was a trusted and significant member of the supply chain is not contested. He has been the subject of violence and reprisals whilst in custody.
"This seizure of drugs and cash left him in a significant amount of debt to those who are in the leading roles."
Mr Sharma said his client was a family man who had no previous drug offences. Mr Sharma added: "Genuine remorse is there. The process of rehabilitation has started. He knows he faces many years away from those he loves dearly."
Investigating police officer DC Joy Main said: “The illegal drugs and large amount of cash found in White’s possession was cast-iron evidence of his involvement in an organised drug supply network. This significant quantity of drugs were destined for the streets of Bristol.
“Illegal operations like the one White was involved with cause great harm to our communities, which is why we’ll always take positive action to disrupt and dismantle this highly corrosive criminality.”
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