Dealer chucked £2.5k stash from window to alley

A DRUG dealer threw more than £2,500 worth of cannabis out of his window into an Ilfracombe alleyway as police raided his home.

Russell Morgan, 42, tried to get rid of a plastic bag which contained most of his stock but was still caught with £2,400 cash and a second batch of cannabis hidden in a Cornflakes box.

Texts on his phone showed he had been selling the drugs to a circle of eight friends to fund his own cannabis addiction, Exeter Crown Court was told.

Morgan, of Marine Cottage, High Street, Ilfracombe, admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply and simple possession of cannabis and diazepam.

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He was jailed for 12 months, suspended for two years, curfewed for six months, ordered to receive two years supervision and do 150 hours unpaid community work.

Recorder Vasanti Selveratnum, QC, told him: "You were buying cannabis predominantly for yourself because you have a heavy habit but you were also prepared to supply about eight friends who were also known users.

"This was not a case in which there was great sophistication and you were only supplying a drug to which you were addicted.

"I am told you are about to become a grandfather and have determined to cut cannabis out of your life. I hope you do, because it is a complete scourge."

Janice Eagles, for the prosecution, said police raided Morgan's cottage in the centre of Ilfracombe on September 4.

She said: "As officers entered the property he was seen to throw a package out of the bathroom window which was recovered from the alleyway beneath.

"A search of his home found scales and a smaller amount of cannabis was also recovered in a Cornflakes box concealed behind a cupboard in his bedroom.

"Officers also found £1,430 cash in the pocket of a pair of trousers on the floor and £1,000 in a safe. Both these amounts will be subject of confiscation proceedings."

She said the street value of the 270 grams of drugs thrown out of the window was estimated at £2,700 by police experts and the smaller amount in the Cornflakes packet at £566.

Morgan has a record of drug offences dating back to 1999 which includes attempting to import cannabis into Britain.

Nigel Wraith, for the defence, said Morgan was due to become a grandfather for the first time in four weeks and was determined to give up drugs so he could fulfil family duties.

He said he had done well when he had worked with probation in the past and would welcome help in tackling his cannabis addiction, which had caused him health problems that prevented him working.