Two county drug dealers who were caught after one of them approached police while smoking cannabis have been jailed.
Jahvid Frith was sentenced to 40 months in prison after a judge rejected a plea deal to spare him jail and his co-defendant Tyrone Sealey was jailed for five years and three months.
Frith, 27, and Sealey, 24, previously admitted concerns about the supply of heroin and cocaine after almost £10,000 worth of Class A drugs were recovered. Frith also admitted possession of cannabis.
Lord Clark told them at the High Court in Edinburgh: “It seems clear that this was a so-called county line drugs operation.”
The judge said: “These crimes are serious and cause harm to our community and a prison sentence is unavoidable.”
He told Frith noting he had no previous convictions, while Sealey has convictions for class A drug offences.
The court heard that Frith and Sealey were living in a flat in Aberdeen after traveling to England to sell drugs.
Prosecutor Paul Kearney KC said officers were on patrol at the city’s Marischal Court early on February 22 last year when they were approached by Frith who appeared to be smoking a cannabis joint.
The deputy solicitor said: “As a result, he was arrested, cautioned and held for a search.”
A total of 34 wraps of cocaine and heroin were found on his person and he admitted there were more in a flat. Drugs were found during a search, along with more than £2,000 in cash, scales and mobile phones.
Mr Kearney said: “A number of incoming and outgoing messages consistent with drug supply were found being sent by users of the phones.”
Frith and Sealey are from Birmingham and Leeds and both English cities were recognized sources for drugs sold in the north-east of Scotland.
Defense barrister John Brannigan said on behalf of Frith: “He is aware that his actions have contributed to the use of drugs in society.”
He said the first offender was assessed as a low risk of causing serious harm and argued he could be treated with an alternative to custody.
Speaking on behalf of Sealey, Neil Shand said: “There is no doubt that he faces a significant prison sentence for his part in this enterprise.”
“He says he was paid around £200 a day, essentially as wages, which was more than he could have earned from legitimate activities,” he said.
Mr Shand argued that Sealey’s age and the amount of drugs involved should be taken into account when sentencing Sealey.
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