He had got involved with some ‘influential drug dealers’
A drugs delivery driver went to the police for help because he feared for his life after getting involved with some “influential drug dealers” over lucrative sales of cocaine and cannabis. He had been put under pressure to sell drugs and stashes worth a total of more than £25,000 were found by police, Hull Crown Court heard.
Ioan Andrei, 29, formerly of Chanterlands Avenue, Hull, but recently of no fixed address, admitted possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply on April 17 and being concerned in supplying those drugs between April 10 and 18. Judge Mark Bury said that Andrei telephoned the police and said that he had been working as a delivery driver for some “influential drug dealers” and needed protection because he believed that his life was in danger.
He had drugs in his possession and a mobile phone. “He offered to attend the police station but was told not to,” said Judge Bury. “But, nevertheless, he did and climbed over a fence.”
Andrei had earlier been hiding in some bushes near a police station and some residential properties in west Hull. “He was arrested with some cocaine and cannabis,” said Judge Bury.
Andrei’s home was searched and more drugs were found. The street value of the drugs at his home was more than £20,000 and the value of those found on him was more than £5,000. No cash was found.
“The defendant was actually asking for help by going into the police station,” said Judge Bury. “I am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt.”
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Oliver Shipley, mitigating, said that Andrei had been remanded in custody on April 17 before being allowed bail on July 28. He was a low risk of reoffending and this could be managed in the community. “He is sofa surfing,” said Mr Shipley.
Judge Bury told Andrei: “At some point prior to your arrest, you got involved with a drug dealing gang. I am satisfied that you were placed under a deal of pressure but the evidence is that you went to the police station to complain about it.
“You told the police that your life was in danger and you went to the police station and allowed yourself to hand over £5,000 worth of drugs. You had plainly been doing some dealing for some time.
“At your property there was £20,000 worth of drugs. This was not, by any means, a one-off. I am satisfied that you would not otherwise have been caught if you had not gone to the police station yourself.”
Andrei, who had a Romanian interpreter to help him in court, was given a two-year suspended prison sentence and 150 hours’ unpaid work.