Ross Smith from Holyhead was jailed for seven years after committing many of the offences while on bail
A drug dealer was found to have a stun gun disguised as a torch for protection because he owed a fortune to his suppliers.
Police later found Ross Smith, 37, from Holyhead, also had the components for a Colt pistol hidden under his Transit van.
Mold Crown Court today heard that emails found on his iPad showed he had been trying to buy another gun, silencer and ammunition.
Smith, of Baker’s Court, London Road, Holyhead , received two statutory minimum five year sentences for firearms offences and additional two year sentences for dealing heroin and crack cocaine – making seven years in all.
Judge Rhys Rowlands said Smith had committed a raft of offences.
They demonstrated that at the time he was intent on supplying class A drugs while taking steps to protect himself by possessing prohibited weapons.
The judge said he was initially stopped in Holyhead in December of last year when police found heroin consistent with personal use.
But when they searched his home they found the stun gun disguised as a torch in a pocket of a jacket hanging up in his home.
“It was plainly a weapon that you had been taking out with you,” the judge added.
Smith was then bailed and the remaining offences occurred while he was on bail.
Smith, the judge said, had come to the attention of the National Crime Agency as a result of making enquiries to buy a gun.
He was arrested in April and when his home was then searched a significant amount of cash was found, together with a number of envelopes containing class A drugs which were ready for posting.
Rather surprisingly, the judge said, Smith had been further bailed.
In May he was found under the influence of drugs on the Penrhos Beach car park in possession of cash, heroin and crack cocaine.
In a magnetic tool box under his Transit van police recovered the constituent parts of a Colt .45 pistol. It was complete apart from the barrel and the ammunition magazine.
That, said Judge Rowlands, was a prohibited weapon.
While it was not complete, it was not being kept in a safe environment and there was every prospect that it could fall into the hands of hardened criminals.
Smith also asked for offences of possessing ammunition – and attempting to purchase ammunition, a firearm, and silencers – to be taken into consideration, said Paulinus Barnes, prosecuting.
Defending barrister Jon Close said Smith had a tragic background.
He had been a hard working family man with two children – self employed and a decent member of society.
Mr Close alleged his client in 2007 returned home and found his wife in bed with another man.
He became “more than upset” and resorted to violence and while in custody became addicted to heroin.
He said Smith lost everything and at one stage was using an eighth of an ounce of heroin a day.
He had a conviction for possessing heroin with intent to supply for which he received a suspended sentence in Swansea because of the heart-breaking circumstances.
Smith awoke after he and his then girlfriend had taken mutually sources drugs which he had bought only to find her lying dead alongside him.
Thereafter things spiralled out of control and he had been homeless and living on the streets at times.
In 2012 he was able to get his own place but drug use meant he had an £8,000 debt.
He was given drugs to sell on the basis that he could keep £20 worth – but ended up stealing from his suppliers.
In custody he was seeking to improve himself, had web design qualifications and was hoping to do a degree course.
Smith admitted possessing illegal firearms and possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.
Following sentence, Detective Sergeant Richard Griffith at Llangefni CID said: "Ross Smith was a leading member of an organised crime group in Anglesey, exploiting vulnerable drug addicts.
"His arrest and sentence today is a message to others, that we will continue to effectively and robustly target drug dealers. There will be no hiding place.”
Detective Chief Inspector Brian Kearney at Caernarfon CID added: "I am very grateful to the help and intelligence we have received from the community in Holyhead which has resulted in Ross Smith’s conviction and sentence today.
"I would urge the public to continue to identify the individuals, movements, locations and details of any drug supplying activity in their area. Working together in our community we can effectively target those who cause the most harm and help keep our communities safe. We are determined to effectively target, disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups which operate in North Wales to keep this a safe place to live, work and visit."
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/anglesey-drug-dealer-stun-gun-12280832
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