A Sheffield cocaine dealer has been jailed after he was supplying to pay off a drug debt
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on March 26 how Mason Shamson, aged 26, of Browning Drive, Birley Carr, Sheffield, was caught by police at his family home with the class A drugs and drug dealing paraphernalia including a notebook with names in his baby’s cot.
Recorder David Kelly told Shamson: “You had a significant role running a drug supplying business from your premises.”
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Hide AdGurdial Singh, prosecuting, said police raided the property after no one answered the door and officers heard a toilet flushing and found a white substance in the basin and Shamson standing at the stairs.
Police recovered 40 packages of cocaine with an estimated value of over £900 as well as scales and bags and cannabis along with a significant amount of cash.
Shamson, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to possessing a class A drug with intent to supply and admitted possessing the class B drug cannabis after the raid on October 11, 2019.
Shufqat Khan, defending, said Shamson became involved in the offending after he had started using drugs and had amassed a drug debt.
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Hide AdMr Khan added individuals put pressure on the defendant and he was attacked and needed hospital treatment.
Shamson, who has a child and another due in June, has shown genuine remorse and regret, according to Mr Khan, and he aims to stop taking drugs.
Mr Khan said: “There are some who deal drugs for commercial purposes to finance a lavish lifestyle. There are others who are slightly more vulnerable who suffer with various mental health aspects in their life and are put under pressure because they have stupidly run-up a drug debt.”
Recorder Kelly recognised Shamson had been attacked due to a drug debt and had suffered a brain injury but he pointed out a significant amount of cash was found throughout the house along with scales, bags, clingfilm and a notebook with names in his baby’s cot.
He sentenced Shamson to two-and-a-half years of custody.