A DRUG dealer running a “lucrative” telephone line supplying cannabis has been jailed after chalking up his third trafficking conviction.

Liam Laidlaw, 27, from Newport, was locked up for 20 months while his co-defendant James Powell, 28, was handed a community order.

Alexander Greenwood, prosecuting, told the city’s crown court: “Laidlaw was running a lucrative drugs line with a number of runners.”

Partner in crime Powell was arrested in Newport’s Bolt Street where he was stopped while driving a car.

“There was a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle,” Mr Greenwood said.

MORE NEWS

“Mr Powell told the officers, ‘I had a fair bit to smoke last night but not today. I’m here to buy some if I’m honest.’”

Police searched the Volkswagen and found cannabis.

Detectives began investigating the pair because they were linked to the drug trade through a mobile phone number following the arrest of another suspect.

Laidlaw, of Hatherleigh, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Powell, of Carisbrooke Road, Newport, admitted possession of the class B drug with intent to supply.

The offences dated back to 2019.

Powell pleaded guilty on the basis that he had been dealing for only three to four weeks and had made no more than £400.

The court heard how Laidlaw was convicted of possession of cannabis with intent to supply in his teens back in 2012.

He was then jailed for the same offence having been sentenced to 16 months in prison four years ago.

Powell had no relevant previous convictions and the only stain on his record was a drink driving rap.

Emma Harris, mitigating for Laidlaw, said the defendant had now stopped smoking cannabis and was hoping to work as a HGV driver.

Claire Pickthall, representing Powell, asked the court to take into account the length of time it had taken for her client’s case to come to court – some two and a half years.

Judge Michael Fitton QC told Laidlaw: “You had control of a drugs line and you knew the risks you were undertaking.

“You knew a prison sentence was inevitable.”

Turning to Powell, the judge said: “The scale of your offending was much smaller.”

He was sentenced to an 18-month community order.

Powell must carry out 75 hours of unpaid work and complete 12 sessions of a rehabilitation activity requirement.