By Ashley Young-
A man from West Yorkshire in the North Of England, has been jailed for 3 years after drugs worth £145k was found in his property following a police raid. Michael Snowden,(pictured) 37, from Roundhay Road, had pleaded guilty to supplying class A and B drugs following two raids from police, who found £145,000 worth of drugs including cocaine, MDMA and ketamine.
A younger defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons was also sentenced to 30 months in a young offender’s institute after being found in possession of drugs on two separate occasions.
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Jurors heard that the defendants were involved in an organized crime group “operating as ring of drug dealing in Leeds”.
Drug dealing is rife in Yorkshire, as is in many parts of the Uk and the world, and contributes to much crime , rivalry and killings.
Prosecuting Snowden Abdul Latif Shakoor told the court that a search of the property made it obvious that a drug dealing operation was taking place.
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During the April 2021 search, the younger defendant was spotted when using his phone. An officer who recognized him shouted over at him, before he ran away. He was soon caught and arrested.
The court was told that the younger defendant was working for £100 to have a drug debt paid off was paid £100 a day, although evidence suggested the majority of his involvement was selling cannabis rather than class As.
Mr Shakoor added: “Snowden’s role is significant – he was living at the address at the time, therefore he must have seen those attending and must have been involved in bagging up the drugs.
“This was a sophisticated operation and the defendants were part of the team.”
Mitigating for the younger defendant, who is now 19, his barrister said: “[His involvement] might have resulted in pressure placed on him by those who are older than him.
“I would say the pressure from his debts put him in a difficult position. He was being blackmailed for the debt.”
Care
Mitigating for Snowden, Jonathan James Turner said: “The defendant does have issues around abandonment. He was placed into care at a young age and was in and out due to his disruptive nature. He was also abandoned by the mother of his child that led him to try and commit suicide.
“He allowed drug dealers to stay in his home for the company – this is a terribly lonely man who finds it hard to integrate with others and make friends.
“When he realized what was going on, he left the property to stay with a new girlfriend. He was not actively involved towards the end.”
Sentencing Snowden, Judge Rodney Jameson said: “The psychiatric report describes you as a troubled man. You are 37 years old and this is not the first time you have been before a court. There is a limit to the degree of sympathy that a court can give someone in their late 30s.”
He sentenced Snowden to three years and three months imprisonment.
The younger defendant had pleaded guilty to counts of possession with intent to supply drugs in both 2020 and 2021. Sentencing him, Judge Jameson said: “You were both a runner and an organiser. You supplied class A and B drugs, including £100,000 worth of class B. You were in a situation of your choosing but I accept you were not a leading light for it.”
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