[A] CARLISLE drugs peddler who tried to flee on a mountain bike when approached by police has been handed a lengthy prison term.
Officers approached Thomas James Powell, 23, behind a supermarket close to the river Caldew near the city centre on February 26.
Powell tried to escape but was detained. He was found to have scores of crack cocaine wraps and 15 containing heroin in a plastic pot. More than £305 cash was all recovered.
Analysis of a mobile phone revealed a text “bomb” he had sent to others indicating he was dealing the class A substances.
Carlisle Crown Court had heard Powell was given the handset and asked by Liverpool-based criminals to deal drugs. He had racked up “significant” debt which, he was told, would be reduced if he complied.
He admitted possessing both illicit drugs with intent to supply them, and was sentenced at the crown court today (FRI).
Judge James Adkin jailed Powell, of Steers Croft, Liverpool, for three years. Judge Adkin ordered the forfeiture of the drugs, phone and money seized.
Detective Constable James Aiston said: “This latest conviction continues to send out a strong message that Cumbria is no soft touch and that those who travel to the county to deal will be caught and will be sent to prison.
“Such offending can cause great harm to communities. However, convictions such as this can seriously impact on the activity of those drug dealers and make the county a safer place for all.”
