A major Cardiff drug dealer was caught preparing to leave the country with a suitcase full of designer clothing, a court heard. Pierre Lima had enjoyed a lavish lifestyle and paid his landlord more than £28,000 in cash while renting a waterfront flat in Cardiff Bay.
The 29-year-old took regular trips to luxury hotels in Spain and Dubai as well as paying thousands of pounds for cosmetic surgery in Turkey. He lived in Capella House, Falcon Drive, described in one estate agent's listing as a "popular gated Cardiff Bay development with 24-hour concierge".
Last August police spotted Lima and his accomplice Lee Powell, 28, arriving at a block of flats on Rutland Street, Grangetown. A South Wales Police spokesperson said the pair "entered and exited the flats in quick succession and were seen to split up on leaving". Powell was arrested minutes later and a kilogram of cocaine worth up to £74,500 was found at his address along with £1,500 in cash.
"A short while later Lima was seen to abandon his car, which contained a cash counting machine and £1,990 in cash," the force spokesperson continued. "Lima was arrested the following day at an address in Roath where he appeared to be preparing to flee the country. He had nearly £4,000 and a suitcase full of designer clothing... On his address being searched, further designer clothing to the value of £10,000 was recovered."
Lima and Powell pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to possession of cocaine with intent to supply. Powell, from Radyr, was jailed for four years and eight months while Lima was handed a sentence of four years and six months. You can read more of the latest court news here.
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