Anthony Edgell (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
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A drug dealer who abandoned £5,000 worth of cannabis in his car after a crash tried to surrender at a police station – only to be turned away and told to return the next day. 🚔
Anthony Edgell, 36, of Clos Sticle, Carmarthen, was spotted by officers driving an Audi A3 in Waterloo Terrace, Carmarthen, on December 27 last year. Police were subsequently made aware of a collision involving the defendant in Pentrefelin Street, and Edgell fled the scene on foot.
The crash and 999 call
Officers searched the abandoned vehicle and found 460g of cannabis on the passenger seat. Later that evening, at 11.19pm, Edgell rang 999 and told the operator he had been involved in a collision, admitted to having cannabis, and confirmed he was not insured to drive.
He then went to Carmarthen police station and attempted to hand himself in, but was told the station was closed and he would need to come back the following day.
The raid
On January 7, officers attended an address in Waterloo Terrace belonging to Edgell’s sister to execute a search warrant. His sister told police her brother was not at the property but said there was “stuff” belonging to him in a cupboard. Inside, officers found 8.6g of heroin and digital scales.
Edgell arrived at the property shortly afterwards and was arrested. A small wrap of cannabis was found on his person along with a mobile phone. Once in custody at Llanelli, a snapbag containing 0.3g of cocaine was discovered in his pants.
The evidence
Prosecutor Emily Bennett told a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday that the cannabis seized was valued at a total of £5,100, the heroin at £1,050, and the cocaine at up to £30. Analysis of Edgell’s mobile phone revealed messages advertising the sale of heroin, cannabis, cocaine, valium and pregabalin.
Previous record
The court heard Edgell had 39 previous convictions, including seven drug offences and convictions for inflicting grievous bodily harm, theft from a person, and failing to surrender to custody.
Defence arguments
In mitigation, Dean Pulling said his client had recently been hospitalised with pneumonia and an abscess on his right lung, and was being treated for a longstanding drug addiction.
The barrister told the court the defendant had attempted to hand himself in but was told to “go back there in normal business hours”.
Sentencing
Edgell pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs, possession of cocaine, and driving without insurance or a licence.
Recorder Simon Hughes sentenced him to a total of 36 months imprisonment.
