A drug dealer has been jailed after police caught him with drugs down his pants and discovered he was living a secret lavish lifestyle.
Richard Hicks, 35, of East Tyndall Street, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to possessing diamorphine and cocaine with intent to supply.
At a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday Hicks was also sentenced for acquiring criminal property - including a Volkswagen Scirocco and high-value goods such as designer clothes, watches, and an electric scooter.
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Prosecutor Susan Ferrier told the court: "On October 25, 2021, officers from organised crime attended an address in Riverside in relation to a 16-year-old person reported missing." At the property officers discovered Hicks in possession of drugs.
Ms Ferrier continued: "Class A drugs – heroin and crack cocaine – were found in his underwear. The missing girl was located at the address."
Police later discovered a Volkswagen car and goods such as clothing and an electric scooter in Hicks' possession. Overall the goods are estimated to be worth in excess of around £36,000. "The defendant's home address is a hostel for the homeless," added Ms Ferrier.
"There are messages which have been sent by the defendant implying he had been involved in drug supply."
Giving one example of a message sent to a woman Ms Ferrier explained the messages said they could work together and also noted that over night there had been "70 missed calls from drug users and they had lost potential sale".
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Harold Baker, mitigating, told the court the defendant was entitled to "the maximum" credit that could be given for his early guilty pleas. He added very little to the case apart from stating the defendant claims he wouldn't have supplied drugs to a 16-year-old.
Mr Baker said: "Despite the fact there was a missing person there was no charge in relation to that missing person. I know she had a pipe with her. He says he would not supply drugs to a 16-year-old. I'm not looking for him to get an award but there is no suggestion that he would do that."
Judge David Wynn Morgan told Hicks he had no choice but to send him to prison due to his previous offences relating to drugs in 2009, 2010 and 2013.
Hicks was sentenced to 2,044 days in prison and a surcharge will be imposed following a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing next year.
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