Border guards intercepting package led to capture of North Wales dealer

Border guards intercepting a suspicious package led to the capture of a drug dealer. It was addressed to the home of Aled Morgan and when police raided it officers found cocaine and cannabis.

Morgan, 24, admitted drug dealing both to pay off debts and for his own use. But a judge at Mold Crown Court, who heard he is getting his mental health problem under control and is expecting to become a Dad, decided he could be rehabilitated.

Prosecutor Richard Edwards said border force staff intercepted a package containing cannabis. It was addressed to a "Carl McCourt" at the defendant Morgan's address.

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Morgan, of Mayville Avenue, Llay, Wrexham, was not charged in relation to this package but when officers swooped at his home they found cocaine, cannabis, scales and snap bags. There was a total of £340 worth of cocaine and £180 worth of cannabis, said Mr Edwards. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here

Police also seized a mobile phone which showed he was supplying both drugs. His bulk messages included "Active now" and drug prices. The court heard Morgan admitted supplying both drugs to pay off debts and to feed his own habit in April 2022.

Alexa Carrier, defending Morgan, said: "His mental health was a significant factor behind this offending." He has seen a consultant psychiatrist, and is on medication, she added.

His former partner is expecting his baby son on June 16 although the relationship with the expectant mother is not longer "romantic". The effect of any sentence of immediate custody would mainly be felt by them.

The defendant has turned his life around and his own mother is a stabilising influence said Ms Carrier. A job at a car bodywork shop is available should be allowed to keep his liberty.

The judge His Honour Timothy Petts told Morgan he didn't think he was a risk to the public and that he could be rehabilitated.

He sentenced the defendant to two years in prison, suspended for two years, for being concerned in the supply of cocaine and for possession with intent to supply cocaine, with one term to run concurrently.

For being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possession with intent to supply cannabis resin he got six months in prison on each, which were also suspended, with both running concurrently to the main sentence.

He must do 100 hours of unpaid work, attend a six-month drug rehabilitation programme and do 30 days of rehabilitation activity. This will involve him being regularly drug tested and making monthly visits to court so progress can be monitored.

The drugs and paraphernalia are to be forfeited and destroyed.

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