Prison for Nuneaton drug dealer who claimed he was bulk-buying drugs to save money

A 49-year-old man from Nuneaton who claimed he was bulk-buying drugs to be thrifty has been jailed for four years for drug dealing.

On the morning of October 5 last year officers raided Ian Powell’s Vernons Lane home.

Upon the officers entering the house, Powell admitted to having cannabis – but when officers also found white rocks in the same container Powell said: “That is crack.”

That raid saw officers discover crack and heroin with a combined street value of around £1,390.

Powell claimed that the drugs were for personal use and when he was asked why he had such quantities in his house, he said he bought in bulk to save money.

Ammonia, often used in the production of crack cocaine, was also found in his house, with Powell claiming, “I only use that to clean my crack.”

Then, on February 28 of this year, officers saw what they believed to be a drugs deal taking place on Nuneaton’s Byford Street.

When approached Powell attempted to run, but his attempt to flee was short-lived and he was found to be carrying crack cocaine and heroin with a combined street value of £530.

Once again, in interview Powell claimed that the drugs were for personal use.

He was subsequently charged with eight drugs offences and in Warwick Crown Court on May 9 he was jailed for 48 months.

Detective Constable Richard Bull said: “Quite what Powell thought he was realistically going to achieve by blatantly lying to us about the drugs only being for personal use is not clear.

“These poisonous, illegal substances destroy lives and cause nothing but crime and misery in our community, so I welcome this sentence.

“Those involved in the supply of these drugs can look forward to a similar outcome, sooner or later.”