Dealer who spoke to police while smoking cannabis jailed

Two drug dealers who were caught after one of them approached police while smoking cannabis in Aberdeen have been jailed.

Tyrone Sealey, 24, and Jahvid Frith, 27, admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine.

Officers on patrol in February last year were approached by Frith, who appeared to be smoking a cannabis joint. This prompted a search and the men were then exposed.

Sealey was jailed for five years and three months, and Frith was sentenced to three years and four months.

Almost £10,000 worth of the Class A drugs were recovered.

The court heard that the men were based at a flat in Aberdeen after travelling north from England to sell drugs.

Prosecutor Paul Kearney KC said officers on patrol at the city's Marischal Court had been approached by Frith who appeared to be smoking a cannabis joint.

The advocate depute said: "As a result, he was stopped, cautioned and detained for purposes of a search."

A total of 34 wraps of cocaine and heroin were found on him and he admitted there was more at a flat.

During a search of the property drugs were recovered along with more than £2,000 in cash, scales and mobile phones.

Frith also admitted possession of cannabis.

County lines operation

Defence counsel John Brannigan, for Frith, said: "He is aware that his actions contributed to the use of drugs in society."

He said the first offender was assessed as posing a low risk of causing serious harm and argued he could be dealt with by an alternative to custody.

Neil Shand, for Sealey, said: "There is no question that he is facing a significant period of imprisonment for his part in this enterprise.

"He advises he was paid about £200 a day, effectively as a wage, which was more than he could have earned doing legitimate activity."

Mr Shand argued that Sealey's age and the amount of drugs involved in the case should be taken into consideration in sentencing him.

Lord Clark told them at the High Court in Edinburgh: "It appears clear this was what is known as a county lines drug operation."

The judge said: "These offences are serious and cause damage to our community and a custodial sentence is inevitable."

"County lines" is the name given when illegal drugs are transported from one area to another, often across police and local authority boundaries.