Teen cocaine dealer jailed after throwing canister at police

A Newport teenager who turned to cocaine dealing after discovering his girlfriend was pregnant has been locked up for two years.

McKenzie Bennett, 18, was finally arrested after a two-day police search when he was caught in Newport city centre on Saturday, December 13 last year. During his arrest, he hurled a laughing gas canister at an officer which narrowly missed striking the policeman’s face.

When officers detained the Byrde Close teenager, he told them: “It is what it is. Straight to prison I go.”

Prosecutor Lucia Cavaliere told Cardiff Crown Court that police discovered Bennett carrying 36 wraps of cocaine weighing 24.49g, with a potential street value between £1,200 and £2,160. Officers also seized £1,200 in cash and a small quantity of cannabis from the defendant.

Bennett refused to answer questions during his police interview, giving “no comment” responses throughout. He later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession of criminal property, and simple possession of cannabis.

Miss Cavaliere explained Bennett’s role in the drug operation: “The defendant played a significant role in the supply of cocaine. He had some awareness and understanding of the scale of the operation and he was selling directly to users.”

The court heard Bennett already had six previous convictions covering 10 offences, including two for drug possession.

His barrister Pamela Kaiga asked the court to grant full credit for his early guilty pleas and consider his youth. “His actions seem to stem from his immaturity,” she told the judge.

The court was told Bennett started dealing drugs to make quick money after learning his partner was expecting their child.

Recorder Angharad Rees, sentencing, said: “You had an expectation of significant financial advantage. Your previous convictions are an aggravating factor. Dealing cocaine is a serious offence likely to end in a severe sentence. I find you present a risk to the public.”

Bennett was sentenced to two years in a young offender institution, with time already spent on remand counting towards his sentence. He will be eligible for release on licence no longer than 12 months into his term.