A teenage drug dealer was caught in south Essex with 70 wraps of Class A drugs hidden in his pants, a court has heard.
Matheus Santos Couto, now 20, of Cornworthy Avenue, Shoebury, was caught by police after his e-bike crashed into a VW Polo in Valkyrie Road, Westcliff.
Police called to the collision, just before 7pm on November 21, noticed the 19-year-old throwing something over a fence.
Quizzed at the scene, Santos Couto – who had convictions for seven prior offences – gave a false name.
“He didn’t have much time to come up with anything and said Jack Smith, which didn’t get him very far,” said prosecutor Christopher Youell.
One of the attending officers recognised Santos Couto, as he was known to Essex Police.
When officers searched the area where he had been seen tossing something, they found a clingfilm wrap containing crack cocaine.
Taken to Southend police station and searched, he had 65 wraps of heroin in his pants and five wraps of cocaine.
He initially pleaded not guilty to two charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply, but changed his pleas in March.
He was remanded in custody for around two months before his sentencing hearing at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday (June 18).
The court heard he had three prior convictions for possessing Class B drugs, plus convictions for dwelling burglary, theft, assaulting an emergency worker and making off without payment.
Defence barrister Kevin Toomey said Santos Couto was in a Brazilian orphanage from ages three to six before he and his brother were adopted and brought to the UK.
But, said the lawyer, he struggled when he arrived, in part due to the language barrier and in part due to feelings of “worthlessness” often experienced by adopted children.
He suffered bullying, moved school five times, obtained no qualifications and ended up in care, where he was repeatedly found to have been a victim of “influence, coercion and grooming”.
But, said Mr Toomey, his client had dealt drugs of his own volition in the expectation of financial gain.
Recorder Oliver Campbell KC sentenced Santos Couto to 19 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
He was ordered to complete 30 rehabilitation days, 80 hours of unpaid work and wear a GPS tracker for six months.
“You obviously have adoptive parents and a network of people who are trying to help you,” said the judge.
“You may not want or take advice from me, Mr Santos Couto, but I will give it to you anyway.
“Please make use of that support going forward and try to put these matters before you so you don’t find yourself back in front of a judge… If you do, the likelihood is that you will end up back in prison.”
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