Neighbour raids in Leeds town uncovers drug-dealing network
Street targeted by police uncovers cannabis stashes
Raid on two properties on a Leeds street led to the arrest of three people involved in the cannabis trade.
Kian Scott and his next-door-but-one neighbour, Wendy Viera, were both involved in supplying the Class B drug, while messages found on phones later incriminated a third participant, Richard Marshall.
All three appeared at Leeds Crown Court this week where they admitted drug-related charges.
However, a probation report into 24-year-old Scott was not prepared, so his case was adjourned until June 4.
Viera admitted dealing in Class B drugs and Marshall admitted being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs.
The court heard that warrants were executed at the two addresses on Orchard Way in Rothwell in July 2021.
In one address occupied by Scott they found more than three ounces of the drug and sweets laced with cannabis. More than £2,500 cash was also recovered.
Raiding 44-year-old Viera’s property two doors along, they found packed cannabis worth £1,390. Separated into two packs, they were found to contain Scott’s fingerprints.
A recovered phone found messages involving drug supply with 27-year-old Marshall, of Pleasant Terrace, Holbeck.
He was later arrested and another phone seized showed he had been involved in selling cannabis for around nine months.
All three either gave no-comment interviews to police or denied involvement.
Viera has 18 previous convictions for 39 offences, including possession of cocaine.
A probation report into mother-of-four Viera suggested she accepted being “stupid” by doing a “favour” for a friend by simply stashing the drugs at her home.
Mitigating for Marshall, Ashleigh Metcalfe said he had been addicted to cannabis and cocaine.
She pointed into his lack of previous convictions and said that since his arrest, it had been a “wake-up call”.
The judge, Recorder Abdul Iqbal KC gave Viera a 12-month community order with 10 rehabilitation days with probation to complete.
Marshall was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered to undertake 15 days of rehabilitation.