Drug-dealing Dudley brothers jailed after stash of cocaine, cannabis and cash found in house raid
Two drug-dealing brothers had more than £6,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis along with nearly £6,000 cash at their home when it was raided by police, a judge heard.
There was also a cannabis farm with 19 plants under cultivation in a bedroom with the help of a hydroponic system to speed growth, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
Cocaine valued at almost £4,000 was discovered in the bedroom of 28-year-old music producer Paul Lawrence, along with £2,400 worth of cannabis.
Brother Liam, a 27-year old refuse collector, had cocaine with a value of £480 in his bedroom together with £5,755 cash, explained Miss Sally Cairns, prosecuting.
Police also discovered a set of digital scales, a grinder and several dealer lists when officers swooped on the property in Stourbridge Road, Dudley and a car parked outside on June 20.
Mr Jasvir Mann, defending both men, said: "They rue the day that they became involved with drugs.
"These offences were blips in what has been otherwise productive and law abiding lives."
He explained that father-of-one Liam had developed a drug habit a year and a half before the police raid, which led to him buying more drugs than required and selling the remainder to friends and family.
Mr Mann revealed that father-of-four Paul had been threatened over a debt to a drug dealer.
He had been issued with the ultimatum of either working off the debt by selling drugs for the dealer or face the consequences.
Both men admitted possession of cocaine with intent. Paul further pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and cultivating it.
He was jailed for two-and-a-half years. Liam further admitted acquiring criminal property - the money found in his bedroom - and was locked up for 20 months.
Judge Michael Challinor said: "You are both hard-working men from a good background who had bright futures. It is a catastrophe."
