Rhyl drug dealer jailed over cannabis supply operation

A drug dealer who claimed he was under pressure to sell cannabis because men had threatened to kill him and “chop him up” has been jailed for 14 months.

Miles Stain told a court he faced £12,000 debts, but no evidence was provided about the alleged threats – and it was his second such drugs offence.

The 21-year-old, of East Parade, Rhyl, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis and was sentenced at Mold Crown Court.

The arrest

Joseph Lees, prosecuting, said a police officer saw Stain emerge from an alleyway just before 2pm on Sunday, 30 June 2024. The officer smelt cannabis and stopped the suspect in Bodfor Street, Rhyl.

He found three large bags of cannabis weighing a total of 43 grams, a grinder and two Ecstasy tablets. Police then searched his home and found £160 in cash.

Stain was taken to St Asaph police station, where he claimed all the drugs were for personal use and the money was from legitimate sources.

Phone evidence

He was released under investigation, but his phone was kept by police. Analysts found messages showing him offering cannabis to customers between July 2023 and June 2024 when he was arrested.

When interviewed again, Stain said a well-known drug user had accused him of stealing from him and that he was told he would be “killed and chopped up”.

However, Stain refused to provide the names of the people making the threats, Mr Lees said. There were no messages on his phone to support his claim he was under threat.

Defence mitigation

Sarah Yates, defending, said Stain had been 19 at the time of the offences and was now 21. She said her client had been threatened after in effect losing cannabis from being arrested previously.

She said: “They said he had to pay it back. They were effectively making up reasons why he owed them £12,000.”

Ms Yates said Stain did report the threats to police but should have reported them “months and months earlier”. He was young, vulnerable and naive, she said. Stain wants to get back to work and has the support of his family and partner, she added.

Sentencing

His Honour Rhys Rowlands noted the defendant had been given a suspended sentence in June 2023 for possession of cannabis with intent to supply it. He had therefore “reverted” to similar behaviour in 2024 and had to be given an immediate custodial sentence.

The judge jailed Stain for 14 months for being concerned in the supply of cannabis. He was also given a ten-month concurrent jail term for possession of cannabis with intent to supply. There was no separate penalty for the unlawful possession of two MDMA or Ecstasy tablets.