A heroin dealer was caught red-handed when his phone played a “Hello, I’m your drug dealer” ringtone while he was in police custody.
David Owens, a father of six, had been arrested for selling someone drugs on a street in Swansea when his mobile phone played the incriminating jingle right in front of undercover cops who had just smelled his collar.
The 48-year-old, along with his client Matthew Wright, were arrested in the Mount Pleasant area of ​​the city on the afternoon of January 29, 2020, Swansea Crown Court heard.
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(Image: South Wales Police)
Arresting officers were patrolling the community when they saw the two men on Portia Terrace conducting “an exchange”, WalesOnline reports.
Owens was arrested immediately, while Wright, 34, fled, at which point he was seen throwing a packet containing £150 worth of heroin.
Meanwhile, as Owens was detained, his phone rang and “Hello, this is your drug dealer” was heard.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
He was searched and found carrying £180, while a subsequent search of his home in Hanover Street, Uplands, uncovered heroin wraps worth around £900, along with three weighing scales, a list verification of sums due and £7,646. in liquid.
Owens had previously pleaded guilty to possession of heroin with intent to supply, to being involved in the supply of heroin and to possession of criminal property – the money – when he appeared in the dock this week. .
He has 26 prior convictions for 159 offenses including perverting the course of justice and possession of cannabis and weapons.
(Picture: Media Wales)
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Wright, of Arthur Street in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, had also previously pleaded guilty to simple possession of heroin when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has 24 prior convictions for 46 offences.
Defending Owens, Anthony O’Connell said the father-of-six had an ‘addictive personality’ for alcohol and drugs and his life went downhill after ‘hanging out with the wrong people’.
Given the guilty pleas, he was sentenced to four years and three months in prison, of which he will serve up to half before being released on license to serve the rest in the community.
Wright was fined £300.
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