A cannabis dealer who was caught red-handed by police tried to hide his mobile phone up his bottom in an attempt to throw cops off the scent.
Dad-of-one Maciej Maziarski, 39, has been stopped by police on Eday Drive in Aberdeen and made the desperate move as they were about to search his car, which was filled with the distinct aroma of cannabis.
During the search, police noted that Maziarski had a large amount of cash in his pockets and wallet and soon after they found a blue lockbox containing a quantity of cannabis.
It was while undergoing a full-body search in custody that Maziarski produced a black Nokia phone from his buttocks.
When police examined the phone they found a number of messages asking, “You got weed on u at all” and “you gonna give me some weed to sell, boy. 20 bit?”
Maziarski, an asbestos removal worker, pleaded guilty at Aberdeen Sheriff Court to one charge of being concerned in the supply of cannabis in Aberdeen.
Cops found over £1,700 in accused’s pocket and wallet
The court heard that upon being stopped by police Maziarski “immediately” produced a cannabis joint from the drivers’ footwell of his car.
A search revealed £700 in his pockets and £1,065 in a wallet.
A blue box containing a “green herbal substance” was also found.
A subsequent search of Maziarski’s home by police found five further bags of cannabis weighing around 29 grams each, two bags of green herbal substance weighing 34g and other assorted bags containing green herbal substance.
Defence agent Michael Burnett told the court that his client was a “chronic user” of cannabis at that time and had been given a quantity of the drug for personal use – but on the basis that the rest was sold.
He added: “Since this time Mr Maziarski has made significant efforts to reduce his drug use and is subject to regular drug testing.
“As he is now back in full-time employment and is the sole breadwinner in the household. He has made considerable inroads in reducing his use of drugs.”
Alternative to custody
Sheriff William Summers told the 39-year-old that what he had done was a “serious offence” that would often result in a prison sentence, especially given Maziarski had a previous conviction for a similar crime.
He added: “I am satisfied that in this case there is an appropriate alternative to a custodial sentence as the charge only related to the supply over a single day and the amount of drugs found were relatively small.”
As an alternative to a prison sentence, Sheriff Summers sentenced Maziarski, of Clifton Road, Aberdeen, to a community payback order with 12 months of supervision.
He also ordered him to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.
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