An unemployed drug dealer has been imprisoned after being caught with tens of thousands of pounds worth of cannabis in Dundee.
Aaron Bell, 32, admitted being concerned in the supply of the class B controlled substance in May 2021.
Police found three wraps of a “herbal substance” in the boot of Bell’s BMW after pulling the car over at the Kingsway West BP petrol station.
They had followed the car on the A90.
Aldi bags containing drugs
Depute fiscal Gavin Barton told Dundee Sheriff Court: “The motor vehicle, a black One Series BMW, was identified as the accused’s.
“Police officers observed the vehicle on the A90 and could smell a strong odour of cannabis coming from the car.
“Police pulled the car over into the petrol station forecourt.
“The vehicle was searched and an Aldi bag containing three wraps of a herbal substance were recovered.
“This was analysed and found to be cannabis.”
The volume of drug seized had a total street value of just under £30,000, the court was told.
Defence and sentencing
Defence solicitor Theo Finlay, in mitigation for Bell, said: “He was unemployed, having previously been in steady employment.
“He was given the opportunity to transport the drugs and he took this.
“The majority of his previous convictions are for road traffic offences…at summary court level.”
Bell appeared on indictment from custody, where he admitted his guilt before Sheriff Robert More.
Sentencing him to 300 days, Sheriff More said: “It is obvious to anyone the most aggravating aspect of this charge is the quantity.
“There has been complicit cooperation with the police.
“You have offended historically at the lower level.
“This offence itself does not require a sentence greater than eight months and because you were on bail at the time, this will be extended to 10 months.
“Because of your early plea this will be reduced to 225 days, from today.”
Bell, of Balmerino Road, Dundee, admitted being concerned in the supply of a class B controlled substance — cannabis — at Kingsway West on May 14 2021.
