A DRUG dealer who was caught operating out of his mother’s house has been jailed for more than three years.
Martin Robert French was arrested after officers noticed some of the occupants of a Peugeot 308 had been smoking cannabis.
A search of the vehicle, which belonged to French’s mother, revealed that there was a satchel hidden under one of the seats containing cocaine and crack cocaine.
A further search of his mother’s home resulted in drug paraphernalia, including scales, zip-lock bags, and cannabis, being recovered.
The police then searched French’s property where they found more scales, zip-lock bags, and traces of white powder.
A number of mobile phones were seized at both properties and forensic analysis showed there was a number of messages about cannabis and cocaine, including the slang- terms for the drugs.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the four people in the car were arrested and charged with drug offences but the charges against the others, including his mother, were dropped by the prosecution.
Jane Waugh, prosecuting, said French was arrested again two weeks later for dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, having an offensive weapon – a knuckle duster, two charges of driving over the limited for drugs, and driving without insurance.
The 34-year-old, of Fieldfare Road, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession with the intent to supply cannabis following the events of August 13, 2019.
He also pleaded guilty to all charges connected to the driving offences from August 25, when he reached speeds in excess of 65mph in 30mph areas.
Stephen Constantine, in mitigation, said: “He is at the culmination of the last 13 years of abuse of cocaine.”
Recorder Nathan Adams sentenced French to three and half years imprisonment and disqualified from driving for 57 months.
He also issued a forfeiture and destruction order for the drugs and equipment, as well as for the knuckle duster.
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