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Posted on the 18th June 2025 in PHTM News
CRACK COCAINE DEALER BUSTED AFTER KINDER EGG STASH FOUND IN STOCKTON TAXI
A drug dealer was apprehended after a suspected transaction was caught on CCTV, leading to the discovery of 22 wraps of crack cocaine hidden inside a Kinder egg in the back of a taxi.
Lewis Elliott, 23, whose address was given as HMP Durham, pleaded guilty to possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply at Teesside Crown Court.
Prosecutor Anthony Pettengell told the court that "CCTV captured Mr Elliott in the course of a suspected drug deal after which he got into a taxi."
Police followed the vehicle and arrested Elliott in Stockton on December 20. A subsequent search of the taxi revealed the illicit stash.
"When the taxi was searched in the rear footwell police found a Kinder egg plastic container which contained 22 wraps of what was later confirmed to be crack cocaine to be sold in £20 street deals," Mr. Pettengell stated.
The seized drugs had an estimated street value of £400.
Elliott's solicitor, Jon Harley, mitigated that his client was dealing to pay off debts accrued from his own drug use and to finance his addiction, which began approximately 20 months prior to his arrest.
Mr. Harley described Elliott's situation as "rooted in the rudderlessness of his existence," exacerbated by "a burgeoning gambling addiction."
He added: "This was not a man who was raking in wads of bills. He was eeking his way through life living hand to mouth."
At the time of his arrest, Elliott was also in breach of a suspended sentence for coercive and controlling behaviour and malicious communications.
Recorder Simon Goldberg highlighted Elliott's previous convictions as an aggravating factor and sentenced him to a total of 39 months’ imprisonment.
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