Man tells police drug haul is for personal use after going back to bed
A man went back to bed after police arrived at a property to search it, a court has been told.
Ricard Telo answered the door to police and immigration officials who attended the property in Frankland Place in Leeds on March 15 this year, prosecutor Jessica Lister told Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday. She said officers were there to make enquiries about Telo's co-defendant, Ardit Brahushi, alongside immigration officials.
Ms Lister said: "Ricard Telo answered and told police he needed to get dressed before letting them in. Another man attempted to flee the property at the rear. He was detained and Arbit Brahushi appeared in the hallway and Ricard Telo went back to bed. Ricard Telo and the other man was arrested at first for immigration offences but then police searched the property."
Read more: Leeds man felt unusually tired after family wedding - his GP told him to go straight to A&E
Inside Telo's room, the court heard officers found a carrier bag of cannabis weighing 199g. He was also found to be in possession of £130 and two mobile phones. In Brahushi's room £16,020 in cash was found and he was also found to be in possession of £500 and a mobile phone.
Ms Lister said the drugs found were estimated to have a wholesale value of between £4,200 an £6,000.
It was said in both of their interviews, Telo, 34, and Brahushi, 30, of Victoria Riverside, Goodman Street in Leeds, gave pre-prepared statements denying their involvement in the offences. Brahushi went on to admit possession of criminal property, and Telo went on to admit possession of a class B drug with intent to supply.
Mitigating for Telo, Kieran Henry told the court he had been in the UK for six years and has always worked, and is in employment in construction. Mr Henry said: "He had no intention to sell to anyone, he was simply the holder."
His Honour Judge Khokhar jailed Telo for six months and Brahushi for eight months.
LeedsLive has launched a WhatsApp community and anyone who joins will get the latest breaking news and top stories sent direct to their phone. To join click here.
If you don’t like our community, you can leave any time. We also treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Read our privacy notice here.