Couple found with up to £1,500 worth of cocaine while…

Couple found with up to £1,500 worth of cocaine while driving

A drug dealing couple were found with up to £1,500 worth of cocaine while they were stopped by police driving through Pontypridd. The boyfriend turned to dealing in order to fund his cocaine addiction.

Kyle Redwood, 30, and Chloe Green, 28, were seen by police in a black car in Church Village on April 23 last year. They arose suspicion after a man approached the driver's side of the car and appeared to engage in a drug deal.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday heard police continued to follow the car as it made its way through Treforest and Pontypridd before bringing the vehicle to a stop on the Broadway Interchange. Both of the defendants were placed in handcuffs and the car was searched.

Prosecutor Emily Jermin listed a number of items which were seized including a grip seal bag containing cocaine, £55 in cash, a black iPhone and an IMO phone. Redwood was also strip searched and found in possession of 10 bags containing cocaine in his underwear.

The house where the couple were then living was also searched and among the items seized were two phones, £2,190 in cash, numerous grip seal bags and scales. When the phones were examined, several messages related to drug dealing were discovered.

Ms George said the drugs were mainly fund in half street deals worth between £30 and £40 but a larger amount weighing 13.5g was worth around £1,000. Redwood, of Oak Street, Rhydyfelin, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine. Green, of Tallis Street, Cwmparc, Treorchy, pleaded guilty to the same charge on the basis she sent a text advertising drugs on an occasion when Redwood was unable to.

Martha Smith-Higgins, for Redwood, said there had been a delay in the case reaching court which should be taken into account. She said her client was addicted to cocaine and had been taking the drug since he was 16-years-old and began dealing to sustain his habit but since his arrest he has reduced his consumption and has moved back in with his parents.

Abigail Jackson, for Green, said her client was of previous good character and has had these proceedings hanging over her for 13 months. She said the defendant was "remorseful" and had suffered with her mental health having undergone "severe personal difficulties".

Sentencing, Recorder Andrew Hammond said: "The trade in class A drugs is a trade in exploitation, violence and human misery which ruins lives. You would have know that and it's a trade you each in your own way chose to involve yourselves."

Redwood was sentenced to a total of 32 months imprisonment. Green was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work, a 10 day rehabilitation activity requirement, and to pay court costs of £420.

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