Two Carlisle cousins caught red-handed as they dealt cocaine have been spared prison by a judge.
Brandon Fraser, 23, and Keiran Fraser, 22, came to the attention of police after an officer stopped the former driving on Nelson Street in the city on June 16 2021.
Brandon Fraser had high purity cocaine and cash both on his person and at home. “A burner phone in the vehicle was being used as a drugs line,” prosecutor Andrew Evans told Carlisle Crown Court today.
There were messages from would-be customers asking whether he had stock and was working, and requesting estimated arrival times. On a second, smart phone was a debtors’ list and an admission that Brandon had been sourcing cocaine on the dark web.
Police then visited his Keiran’s home and located 17 separate £40 wraps of cocaine along with phone messages directing people to contact his cousin.
“Both of the defendants operated for their own financial benefit,” said Mr Evans, who added that there had been a delay in the case due to the cousins being unwilling to reveal smart phone PINs.
Brandon Fraser, of Raffles Avenue, and Keiran Fraser, of Yewdale Road, both Carlisle, admitted possessing the class A drug with intent to supply.
Both had two-year prison sentences suspended for two years by Recorder Tony Hawks, who heard they were in full-time work. Each defendant must complete 200 hours’ unpaid work and a rehabilitation requirement.
The judge observed that they had been caught red-handed dealing the drug at low street level.
“I take the view you are two ordinarily decent men who did something stupid two years ago when you were younger. I hope now you are more mature and your lives have moved on,” said Recorder Hawks.
“No doubt the pair of you started off by thinking cocaine was a good idea. Look where you are now. I’m not going to tell you how to live your lives. If you want to take cocaine then get on with it. But you are marked men now. If you’re caught again, prison; lots of prison. So think again.”
