Dealer jailed for sending 200 messages a day to customers

A drug dealer who sent bulk texts to customers branding himself as “Kik” and boasting he was “active” in the area has been jailed.

Jamal Hourrieh, 24, was arrested after police executed a drugs warrant at his home in Penhevad Street, Grangetown, Cardiff, on September 10. Officers seized a mobile phone belonging to Hourrieh during the search, which revealed the extent of his dealing operation.

Cardiff Crown Court heard on Thursday that Hourrieh refused to give the PIN code for the phone, but police were able to gain access and examine his messages.

Prosecutor Abdallah Barakat said Hourrieh was sending between 70 and 200 messages per day to customers. These included bulk texts to his contacts, in which he referred to himself as “Kik”.

In the texts, he described himself as “active”. The defendant also said: “Ring to get looked after” and “I love my Gs”.

Mr Barakat said the messages referred to Hourrieh supplying both heroin and cocaine.

When interviewed, the defendant remained silent.

Hourrieh later pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. The court heard he had one previous conviction for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin, for which he was sentenced to a period of imprisonment.

Mr Barakat said there was “no suggestion” the defendant had any influence on those above him in the chain.

In mitigation, Hashim Salmman said his client had stepped away from drug dealing following his release from prison and had found employment until his arrest. The barrister said the defendant had lost a relative at the age of 15 and he “fell in with the wrong crowd”.

Sentencing, Judge Paul Hobson said: “This was your own operation from which you no doubt intended and expected to make money. These drugs cause huge damage to those who take them, to their health, their prospects in life and their relationships. Your involvement in these drugs is doing you huge damage as well. You had a large customer base and expectations of huge financial gain.”

Hourrieh was sentenced to a total of three years imprisonment.