A window cleaner with “glazed” eyes spotted by a police officer in a pizza takeaway was found to have £13,500 of cocaine in his BMW.
Liam Jones was handcuffed when the officer thought he was going to try and run away as he was told his car would be searched.
Sentencing him at Cardiff Crown Court , Judge Richard Twomlow said: “Dealing in Class A drugs is always a very serious offence.”
The court heard Jones was seen in Tremains Road in Bridgend on April 30 last year.
Harry Baker, prosecuting, said: “The officer turned around and started to follow the defendant.” He told the court Jones’ eyes were “glazed” and he appeared to be under the influence of something.
Prosecutors said the defendant went into Domino’s Pizza and the officer signalled for him to come out. The court heard he was searched and the officer seized £200 and his phone before telling him the BMW would be searched.
Mr Baker said: “His demeanour changed and he attempted to walk away. This caused the officer to think he was going to make off and he handcuffed him.”
These offenders were locked up last month:
Police searched the car and found cloth containing 112g of white powder which was tested and confirmed to be cocaine.
Prosecutors said it would be worth £13,500 if sold at street level or between £2,800 and £6,400 wholesale.
The court heard he gave his mother’s address but officers found he was not living there. They searched another address and found a tub of cannabis plus £1,970 in cash.
Jones was interviewed and admitted the car belonged to him but answered “no comment” to all the other questions put to him and refused to give the pass code for his phone.
Mr Baker said he had a previous caution for possessing cocaine dating back 10 years.
The 33-year-old from Heol-Y-Parc in North Cornelly, Bridgend, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing cannabis.
James Evans, defending, said there had been a “significant delay” in the case coming to court which was not his client’s fault as he pleaded guilty as soon as the charges were put to him.
He told the court Jones was a drug user who found himself getting into debt to a dealer. His drug use increased when he found out his grandmother was unwell.
Mr Evans said he had been running a window-cleaning business and hoped to learn more skills in prison to help him support his young daughter when he is released.
Jones was jailed for three years and four months. The case will be listed for mention under the Proceeds of Crime Act on April 9.
