One of them ran off from police and dropped a rucksack containing bags of drugs, a court heard
Kacper Tomalski and Octavian Bita(Image: Humberside Police)
Two men were part of a commercial drugs supply business involving selling cocaine and cannabis on the streets of Hull. It was “not a case of social supply or fleeting involvement” and they were expecting to make plenty of money from the lucrative enterprise, Hull Crown Court heard.
Kacper Tomalski, 22, of Elm Grove, west Hull, and Octavian Bita, 22, of Great Thornton Street, west Hull, admitted being concerned in supplying cocaine and cannabis between June 1 and July 26 last year. Bita also admitted possessing amphetamine.
Oliver Shipley, prosecuting, said that the two men were stopped near the junction of Walton Street and Lowther Street, west Hull, at about 10am after a report of an unrelated matter. Tomalski stayed where he was and he was searched.
A mobile phone and cash were found. Bita, who had a rucksack, ran off across Albert Avenue towards Curzon Street and he was chased.
He dropped the rucksack but he was detained in De La Pole Avenue. Bags of cocaine and cannabis were found in the rucksack. He had £920 cash and a bag of amphetamine.
The total value of the drugs was £820. Scales, mobile phones, grinders and tablets were found at Bita’s home. Messages found on Tomalski’s phone indicated drug dealing with Bita.
“Each defendant played a significant role and there was an expectation of significant financial advantage,” said Mr Shipley. Tomalski was dealing with customers and Bita held the stock. “Plainly, it’s street dealing,” said Mr Shipley.
Tomalski later claimed to police that he was not involved in drug dealing and that he did not know exactly what was in the rucksack. He had convictions for two previous offences, possessing amphetamine and cannabis in November 2022.
Bita made no comment to questions during police interview. He had convictions for five previous offences, including drink-driving and fraudulently using a registration plate.
Abigail Rowley, mitigating, said that Tomalski was a recreational drug user and he became involved in dealing to fund his own habit. “He is no longer taking any drugs or drinking alcohol,” said Miss Rowley.
“He has made positive changes in his life. He has not tried to minimise his behaviour and takes full responsibility for his actions. If he could turn back the clock, he would.
“He has since distanced himself from negative influences.” Tomalski worked full-time in a factory and he came to this country 11 years ago. He had worked as a gardener and at a kitchen factory and he had enrolled at college.
Jane Rapin, representing Bita, said that he began using drugs more frequently because of a toxic relationship that he was in. “He accepts full responsibility and doesn’t blame anyone else for the choices he made,” said Miss Rapin.
“He has remained drug-free for the last 12 months. He is committed to remaining drug-free. He didn’t mean to hurt anyone and he deeply regrets his mistakes.
Bita had no previous convictions for drug offences. He was in full-time employment at a food factory. He was 12 years old when he came to this country.
Recorder Taryn Turner said that they were “serious and determined offences” and involved the commercial supply of drugs. Class A drugs caused significant harm to users and their families and impacted families.
“This is not a case of social supply or fleeting involvement,” said Recorder Turner. “There was a clear expectation of advantage from your offending. There was a degree of cooperation and organisation between the two of you.”
Tomalski and Bita, who had both been on bail, were each jailed for three years. The cash seized will be forfeited and given to the Space2BHeard mental health services project, Hull.
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