The Pembrokeshire drug dealer who stashed 12 grams of heroin inside him
THIS is the face of a 'drug mule' who has been jailed after being caught with more than 12 grams of heroin stashed up his bum.
Mark Briskham, 52, of Wavell Crescent in Pembroke Dock, was jailed for 16 months after admitting possession with intent to supply heroin and heroin possession.
Sentencing him, Judge Geraint Walters said: 'Amongst all Class A drugs, this is the most harmful of them all.
'Engaging in the activity of supplying it has to be treated as a serious matter.'
Swansea Crown Court heard that Briskham and another man drove to the Swansea area to pick up a quantity of diamorphine – heroin – at around 9.30am on June 8 last year. However, Briskham was stopped by police in Llanteg on his way back home that afternoon.
No drugs were found in the car or on either of the men, prosecutor Caitlin Brazel said, so they were both taken to Withybush Hospital for a scan.
The passenger's scan was negative, but Briskham then refused to be examined.
He was taken to the police station and kept under supervision, until he asked to go to the toilet and expelled a package containing 12.7 grams of diamorphine from his rectum.
A drug expert valued the heroin at £1,590 if sold in street deals.
Briskham initially denied a charge of possession with intent to supply heroin, but admitted a charge of possession. However, he pleaded guilty on the morning of trial on a basis which was accepted by the prosecution.
The defendant said he only wanted to buy seven grams of heroin for his own personal use. He had agreed to drive to pick the drugs up and bring them back, and would be supplied with seven grams out of the total haul when this was done.
'He's being used as a mule,' Judge Walters summarised.
Mark Briskham was stopped by police whilst he had 12 grams of heroin stashed up his bum. (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
'There has been a significant gap in his offending,' said Jon Tarrant, in mitigation. 'In the last 17 years or so there has been very little which the defendant has troubled the court.'
Mr Tarrant said Briskham contacted the health board about his addiction issues following his arrest, and was now drug-free.
He said the defendant 'welcomed' his period in custody after pleading guilty, adding that it had been 'a bit of a wake-up call' for him.
As he jailed Briskham, Judge Walters accused him of having 'played cat and mouse' with the police after initially refusing to be examined in hospital and then not pleading guilty to possession with intent until the morning of trial.
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