A DRUG dealer has been given a suspended sentence after he was found with thousands of pounds worth of drugs. 

Robel Berhanyukun, 21, was found in the back of a taxi on Warwick Road in Basingstoke while police were on patrol on May 16, 2020.

Police officers found that Berhanyukun, who was just 18 at the time, had drugs on him which were "the size of a golf ball" worth more than £2,000.

He pleaded guilty to being in possession of cocaine and heroin, as well as the intent to supply cannabis.

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He appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday, October 25 to be sentenced.

Prosecuting, Andrew Houston said: "He was seen parked in Warwick Road in the back of a taxi on a phone call. He was found to have £480 of cash on him. He said he was homeless and that the police were about to find out whether he had anything on him.

“They found a package of wrapped drugs about the size of a golf ball.”

Mr Houston told the court police found wraps of cocaine and 33 wraps of heroin.

Mr Houston said the police also found messages on his phone clearly showing he was dealing Class A and Class B drugs

Mr Houston added: "When he was first interviewed he denied selling drugs and said he brought the drugs on Warwick Road. He also said that the money belonged to his father."

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In mitigation, Sean Kivdeh said his life had changed "substantially" since the incident took place.

He added: "He has left the friends who were a bad influence on him and the friends he has made are good people who are off to university.

"His involvement was out of peer pressure and he was in debt and those higher up than him used him as a runner for a short while. He fell into debt with the wrong people."

In sentencing, Judge Susan Evans, said that was no doubt Berhanyukun, of Twickenham, made a poor decision and told the court a letter from his mother had made it clear he was vulnerable at the time of the offences.

He was handed a two-year custodial sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of £500, carry out 15 rehabilitation days and complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Evans ordered for the drugs to be destroyed.