8 hours ago
Drugs runner caught delivering £2,000-worth of cannabis to addresses around Cardiff
Drugs runner caught delivering £2,000-worth of cannabis to addresses around Cardiff
Shakr Hamad, 30, was stopped twice by police after they could smell cannabis emanating from his car
Shakr Hamad had been sent a list of postcodes by his dealer
(Image: South Wales Police )
A drug runner who was found in possession of more than £2,000 worth of cannabis had been sent a list of postcodes by his dealer to deliver to. He was released on bail following his initial arrest but was caught delivering cannabis again almost a year later.
Shakr Hamad, 30, was stopped by police driving a Ford Focus in Cardiff on April 10 last year after they could smell cannabis emanating from his car. He also appeared to be under the influence and tested positive for cannabis.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday heard a carrier bag was found and when searched it was found to contain eight zip lock bags containing cannabis, worth up to £400 in total. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter.
Also found in the car was £440 in cash and an iPhone which revealed the defendant had been sent a number of postcodes in quick succession.
Prosecutor Sol Hartley said Hamad was working as a drugs runner for an organised crime group who was directed to deliver cannabis to various addresses in Cardiff.
The defendant was released on bail but on March 15 this year he was stopped by police in Llansannor Way, Butetown, after he was seen interacting with a man from inside his BMW.
Article continues below
The vehicle was searched and a black rucksack was found to contain 30 snap bags of cannabis worth up to £1,700, £525 in cash and a knuckleduster.
His phone was seized and Hamad was found to be a member of a Whats App group with several other people who were working as drugs runners.
During his police interview, the defendant became agitated and began punching himself in the head.
Hamad, of Rhymney Street, Cathays, later pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class B drugs, possession of criminal property, possession of an offensive weapon and driving whilst disqualified.
The court heard he has one previous conviction for motoring offences, for which he was disqualified from driving.
In mitigation, Harry Baker said his client had made an asylum application to remain in the UK, which had been unsuccessful, but he has since made another application.
Article continues below
Judge Paul Hobson sentenced Hamad to 18 months imprisonment and disqualified him from driving for 18 months.
The judge told the defendant steps may be taken to deport him, but this decision would be made by the Home Office.