A county lines drug dealer who was snared as he drove back to Dundee from Liverpool with a car full of drugs wept as he was jailed for seven months.
David Cunningham was locked up on Tuesday.
At a previous hearing, the 32-year-old had admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis on December 12 2019.
He returned for sentencing before Sheriff Alison Michie at Dundee Sheriff Court.
Police intelligence
Fiscal depute Christine Allan explained Cunningham was pulled over on the A90 beside the Swallow Roundabout at around 5.50pm.
Officers searched the car and found scales and snap bags in the passenger footwell behind the driver’s seat and more in the driver’s door pocket.
Cannabis had been parcelled into individual sale bags, with more than 20 found in each location.
In total, police recovered 155 grams of the Class B drug, which they valued at being worth £1,350.
Police also found scales, mobile phones and £226.37 in cash.
All of this has now been forfeited.
Journey home
The court had heard Cunningham, of West Street in Dundee, drove to Merseyside with another man to collect the drugs.
Police had gathered intelligence they would be returning to Dundee and stopped the car as they re-entered the city.
It was explained, along with some traffic offences, Cunningham has an analogous High Court conviction.
Defending, solicitor Ross Bennett said: “Mr Cunningham is fearful of what may well happen to him.
“They’d gone down to Liverpool. They travelled north. Police had intelligence.
“This matter goes back to 2019. He has no matters outstanding.”
Mr Bennett explained Cunningham had been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and a personality disorder.
“He’s living as a recluse.
“He associates with family. He doesn’t have a lot of friends.
“His involvement is not so minimal.”
Locked up
Sentencing on the county lines dealer been deferred for a social work report to be prepared.
Sheriff Michie told him: “You have pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
“You had travelled down to Liverpool, drugs had been uplifted and you were on your way back.
“This is clearly a serious offence.
“You already have a conviction at High Court (level) for a directly analogous offence.
“I consider there to be no alternative to a custodial sentence.”
Cunningham wept as he was lead away in handcuffs.
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