Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver caught selling crack cocaine from his cab

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wale ... k-15446520

Rhys John Hearn was selling the Class A drug from his taxi to supplement his income

A taxi driver was selling crack cocaine from his black cab because he was "trying to make ends meet".

Rhys John Hearn was caught thanks to eagle-eyed police officers who became suspicion of a fare he picked up on a Swansea street.

As well as a stash of crack he had for dealing the police also found a small quantity of cocaine, which the 27-year-old said he took to help keep himself awake.

Swansea Magistrates' Court heard Hearn's drug dealing came to an end on March 3 this year when officers in an unmarked police car in the Ravenhill area of the city became suspicious of his activities.

Sian Cutter, prosecuting, said the officers were on patrol in Pentregethin Road when they saw a black cab stop, pick up a man and a woman from a bus stop, and then drive only a short distance to a to a nearby street.

The officers were suspicious of the activity and followed the taxi when it drove off, eventually stopping it in Grenfell Park Road, St Thomas.

The court heard when police searched the cab they found a Kinder egg capsule in the centre console which contained 10 wraps of crack cocaine, along with two mobile phones. They also found a small amount of cocaine elsewhere in the car.

In Hearn's shorts pocket was £225 in cash.

He told officers he was "just trying to make ends meet".

In his subsequent police interview Hearn said he had begun dealing at the suggestion of a previous passenger who had asked him if he wanted to make a bit of money.

He said he would collect a Kinder egg containing drugs from a supplier then his number would be given to users who would call him when they wanted to buy a wrap and he would then deliver the crack.

Hearn, of Fleet Street, Sandfields, Swansea, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack, supplying crack, possessing crack with intent to supply, and possession of cocaine.

The court heard he had four previous convictions for six offences, including possession of Class A drugs.

District judge Christopher James said given the nature and seriousness of the offences the defendant had admitted the case would have to be dealt with at Swansea Crown Court.

Matters were committed to the higher court for sentencing on December 17 and Hearn was released on bail until that date.

I suspect it was more than just 'trying to make ends meet', more trying to feed his habit.

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IDFIMH