Leeds Crown Court: Police intercept drug deal and seize 10kg of cannabis and £20k in cash

On August 20 this year, West Yorkshire Police were tipped off to a drug deal and a white Audi A6 registered to Gary Brooks was identified as being involved. Police swooped on the car on the M56, travelling between Brooks’ home in North Wales and Leeds.

The 46-year-old admitted there was cannabis in his car and the Audi was searched. Officers found 10kg of cannabis stored in large vacuum-sealed bags, £20,000 in cash and a Breitling watch worth just over £4,000. They also seized two Nokia burner-style phones and a number of bank cards with the defendant’s details on.

Brooks was arrested and taken to Elland Road police station, where he refused to answer questions or provide the codes to unlock the mobile phones. He was later charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of criminal property and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

The defendant, of Maes Gwynfa, Holyhead, has nine previous convictions for 21 offences, but none relating to the supply of drugs.

In mitigation, Leeds Crown Court heard from a probation officer who assessed that Brooks had a low risk of reconviction and causing serious harm. The defendant said he used cannabis after developing a serious health condition which causes boils in his armpits and groin, and became involved in dealing to pay off debt that had built up.

He is also the registered and full-time carer for his teenage son, who has autism spectrum disorder, and the probation officer said he had stopped taking cannabis and shown positive improvements while in custody.

While Judge Simon Batiste said he was “deeply cynical” that Brooks had not provided access to the seized mobile phones, he was satisfied that the defendant showed a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Brooks was handed a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years. He must also do unpaid work, complete 25 rehabilitation requirement days and stick to a curfew for four months.

Judge Batiste told Brooks: “You have one chance and one chance only. You better grab it because all the problems your son has, all the medical conditions you have, will not save you again.”