Dealer threw drugs from car window after police spotted deal

A drug dealer ditched heroin and crack cocaine out of his car window after officers caught him in the act during a deal in Cwmbran.

The stop

Jason Bartlett was spotted by police on duty on April 13 as they witnessed what they believed to be a drug transaction taking place. Officers moved in and detained the 47-year-old, who was behind the wheel.

A search of his vehicle uncovered a wrap of heroin, £220 in cash and numerous foil cuttings. Bartlett claimed the heroin found was for his own personal use.

CCTV evidence

Newport Crown Court heard that officers made enquiries with a nearby garage to check their CCTV footage. The cameras captured Bartlett throwing items from his car window moments before police approached him.

When officers searched the area, they recovered wraps of both crack cocaine and heroin.

The search

A further search was carried out at Bartlett’s home on Fleetwood Close in Newport, where more crack cocaine and heroin were discovered alongside a set of weighing scales.

In total, police seized just under 4.98 grams of heroin and just under 0.7 grams of crack cocaine. A drugs expert valued the heroin at up to £330 and the cocaine at £70.

Defence arguments

Bartlett pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, and possession of criminal property.

The court heard he had six previous convictions, though the most recent dated back to 2003.

Jac Brown, appearing for the defendant, told the court the strongest mitigation was Bartlett’s guilty pleas, which were entered at the earliest opportunity.

“He accepts his actions were stupid,” he said. “It’s his own drug misuse which is the cause of his offending.”

Mr Brown said Bartlett had been involved in dealing for just one week and had since sought support from the Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service to address his issues.

Sentencing

Recorder Paul Lewis KC told Bartlett: “Anyone who deals in Class A drugs must understand that they face a sentence of imprisonment. You are no different.”

Bartlett was jailed for a total of 32 months.