Yahoo News A text message describing 'banging stuff' sent this man to prison
A drug dealer found in possession of cocaine text customers saying he was able to double his investment and described his wares as "banging stuff". He began dealing in order to fund his own addiction to cocaine and ketamine.
Alex McKenzie, 23, was raided by police at his home in Abergavenny on April 7 last year. A search of the house resulted in the discovery of a knuckleduster, two mobile phones, digital scales containing traces of drugs, adulterants, several SIM cards, £600 in cash and two snap bags containing 0.4g of cocaine worth £40.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday heard there were extensive messages on the defendant's phone relating to the supply of cocaine and ketamine. He was not only supplying to users but to other drug dealers and providing advice, boasting he could "double his investment". McKenzie messaged one customer that the drugs he was selling was "banging stuff".
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McKenzie, of Charles Crescent, later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs, two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs, and possession of an offensive weapon. The court heard he was of previous good character.
In mitigation, defence barrister Stephen Thomas said his client became involved in dealing through "naivety and immaturity", and had been a user of cocaine and ketamine. The defendant, a qualified mechanic, was said to have stopped using drugs since the offence and was at a low risk of reoffending.
Sentencing, Recorder Alyn Eynon-Evans said the defendant had a "expectation of significant financial gain" and only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified in his case. McKenzie was sentenced to a total of 31 months imprisonment, minus 95 days for the time he has spent on tag.
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