When police stumbled on suspected drug dealing in Easton it wasn't that discreet. In fact people were queuing up to buy, a court heard.
Officers spotted the line of buyers shortly before last Christmas, Bristol Crown Court was told. And the man found to be doing the selling was Ridwan Ahmed.
Ahmed, 22, of Avonvale Road in Redfield, pleaded guilty to possessing Class A drugs crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply on December 12 last year. The recorder Mr David Chidgey handed him 21 months' prison suspended for 18 months.
READ MORE: Easton dad who killed his baby is jailed
Sentencing yesterday (February 15) told Ahmed: "You are 22, you are still pretty young and you have no previous convictions.
"You decided to get involved in something really serious. This was obviously a big mistake on your part."
Ahmed was handed 200 hours of unpaid work and 25 days of rehabilitation. The drugs recovered were destroyed and the cash forfeited.
Caighli Taylor, prosecuting, said police spotted a queue of people in an alleyway and Ahmed was arrested. He was found with £485 cash, a small bag of cannabis, 148 street deals of crack cocaine and 63 street deals of heroin valued at £2,000.
Miss Taylor said police found £100 at Ahmed's address as well as mobile phones. In interview Ahmed said he was forced to sell drugs and did not identify anyone involved.
Emily Evans, defending, said: "People are so shocked that he found himself in this position. He uses cannabis on a daily basis. Probation say he is a low risk of reoffending and a low risk of harm."
Miss Evans added that her client would be at risk of exploitation in prison. She suggested punishment would best be achieved in the community.
Sign up for our new Bristol's Court Insider newsletter for the latest court and crime news - from arrests to trials and sentencings.
READ NEXT:
- Former Eastwood Park detention centre PE instructor denies abusing inmates
- Bristol businessman scammed out of almost £8,000
- Bristol man convicted of killing OAP back in court for theft and frauds
- Man jailed for the murder of mum and daughter
- Husband 'without regard for UK law' thought he could beat his wife
