Newport drug dealer jailed for three years over £10k haul

A Newport man who thought he could make easy money selling drugs has been sent to prison after police discovered a massive cannabis haul worth £10,000.

Tical Isaacs ran his illegal operation for seven months, flooding the streets of Newport with both cannabis and cocaine between May and December last year. The 25-year-old’s criminal venture came crashing down when officers raided his property and seized not only the substantial drug stash but also £1,000 in cash.

Prosecutor Leah Pollard outlined how Isaacs had been actively involved in supplying both class A and class B drugs across the city. When he appeared at Cardiff Crown Court, he admitted five charges: being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis, and possession of criminal property.

Defence barrister Gareth Williams, asking for the appropriate one-third discount for his client’s early guilty pleas, told the court: “He’s left his family down.”

Judge Paul Thomas KC delivered a stark warning to the Baldwin Street resident, telling him: “When you started dealing in class A drugs to make easy money, you knew full well what could happen to you if you were caught doing so. You took that gamble and you lost and you now have to pay the price. You were caught with class A drugs, a large amount of cannabis worth £10,000 and £1,000 in cash.”

The judge acknowledged that Isaacs had no similar previous convictions and had previously held down a responsible job, noting there was “a different side” to him. However, he made clear the consequences of continuing down this path.

“You have a choice,” Judge Thomas said. “You can either continue going down the same road which will lead to increasingly longer and longer prison sentences, or, when you are released, you can start putting your life back on track.”

Isaacs was sentenced to three years imprisonment, meaning he’ll serve half that time in custody before being released on licence. The time he’s already spent on remand will count towards his sentence. He’s due to face a proceeds of crime hearing on May 7.