Drug dealers were found in possession of 1kg of cannabis which they threw out of a car window while being pursued by police. The drugs were valued at between £4,000 and £5,200.
Cameron Falkingham-Smith, 22, and Tramain Jeanne, 26, were in a car travelling near Tredegar House in Newport on February 16 when they became involved in a police pursuit. As Jeanne drove the car, a black bin bag was thrown from the window of Falkingham-Smith's passenger seat.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday heard the BMW was eventually stopped, and the black bin bag was seized. It was found to contain 1kg of female flowering head cannabis. A drugs expert later valued the drugs at between £4,000 and £5,200. An examination of Falkingham-Smith's phone revealed he had been involved in drug dealing, with messages relating to different weights between a quarter of an ounce and 1kg.
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Falkingham-Smith, of Bronte Crescent, Llanrumney, Cardiff, was also found in possession of a police style baton and Jeanne, of Watkiss Way, Grangetown, Cardiff, was found to be driving with no insurance. Both defendants later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis. The court heard Falkingam-Smith has 27 previous convictions, and was previously sentenced to 37 months detention in a young offenders' institute for being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis. Jeanne has previous convictions, and was previously sentenced to four years imprisonment for possession with intent to supply heroin and cocaine.
In mitigation for Falkingham-Smith, Andrew Davies said his client was taken into care at a young age, did not have a happy experience in care and was placed in a homeless shelter at 15 years old. Stephen Thomas, for Jeanne, said his client's life had been blighted by family difficulties and bereavements.
Judge Lucy Crowther sentenced both Falkingham-Smith and Jeanne to 12 months imprisonment each. They will each serve half the sentence in custody before being released to serve the remainder on licence.
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