Essex drug dealer who tried to blame his mum for cocaine stash jailed
He asked his mum to "take the rap" for his crimes when he was arrested
Last updated 28th Oct 2024
A drug dealer who tried to get his mother to take the blame when officers found cocaine in his car has been jailed.
Liam Coles, 27, was found in bed when officers executed a warrant at his home in Saffron Walden in January this year.
Intelligence had linked Coles to drug dealing in the area.
A car parked on the driveway of the property was identified as a vehicle which had failed to stop for police in the area a few nights prior.
After suspicions were raised, the vehicle was searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act and a packet of white powder was uncovered.
This substance was later tested and found to be 180g of cocaine.
A police dog carried out a further search, revealing a further amount of cannabis in the car.
A set of electronic scales covered in white powder and a large sum of cash were also found inside.
In the boot of the car, a large quantity of small plastic bags, typically used to package drugs, were discovered.
As a result of this discovery, Coles was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
Coles responded by turning to his mother and asking if the drugs belonged to her, before adding: “come on, take the rap for me”.
These significant comments proved key in identifying Coles as the owner of the vehicle in question.
Inside the address, cash totalling £685 was found stashed inside a coat.
A further large sum of cash, estimated to be around £36,000, was recovered from a safe.
High value items including a Rolex watch, designer trainers, bags and clothes, were also seized.
Coles, of Byrds Farm Lane, Saffron Walden, refused to answer questions in interview.
But due to the weight of evidence against him, he later admitted charges of possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs, as well as acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
He was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court to four years and ten months’ imprisonment today (28 October).
Police are pursuing proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to confiscate and recover any of his criminal gains.
Inspector Philip Jackson, of Uttlesford Community Policing Team, said:
“Drug offences impact communities and fuel wider offending, so intelligence from the public is vital to direct resources where they need to go.
Community intelligence is often the missing piece of the puzzle so please report any information, even if it appears to be minor, so we know what’s happening in your communities.
Without intelligence from the public warrants like these are not possible, so we thank our communities for their support and assistance.
When we have a clear intelligence picture we will take robust enforcement action to arrest offenders and take cash, drugs and suspects off the streets.”