Two teenagers, Ajay Aquilina and Archie Pickup, were discovered in possession of over £8,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine during a police raid at Aquilina’s mother’s home in Cardiff. The young dealers were running drug lines with more than 100 customers. Aquilina, with a soaking wet arm, tried to flush drugs down the toilet as police apprehended him. The subsequent search revealed 30 wraps of crack cocaine in the toilet’s u-bend. The total haul included 28 wraps of heroin, 91 wraps of crack cocaine, a knuckleduster, a flick knife, two large knives, over £5,000 in cash, and bulking agents for drug adulteration.
Additionally, two Nokia phones were seized, showing Aquilina and Pickup were operating drug lines named “Snowy” and another with numerous customers. Pickup ran an Instagram account suggesting he supplied high-quality heroin. Both defendants pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Despite their previous good character, their actions were condemned by the judge, Recorder David Harris, who highlighted the destructive impact of the drug trade on communities.
During the sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, Aquilina and Pickup received 24 months detention in a young offenders’ institute, suspended for 24 months. They were also mandated to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and a 20-day rehabilitation program each. Aquilina’s lawyer argued that his client was working to pay off a substantial drug debt and had an offer of employment in the construction industry. Pickup, on the other hand, was described as not living a lavish lifestyle, with the offence deemed out of character for him. He had a college course opportunity available to him to steer away from criminal activities.
The court emphasized that drug dealing perpetuates misery, destroys lives, and destabilizes communities. Aquilina and Pickup’s well-organized drug operation was cited as a means of financial gain, warranting their suspended sentences and rehabilitative requirements. The sentence serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of drug trafficking and the detrimental effects it has on individuals and society at large.
This case sheds light on the prevalence of drug-related activities among young individuals and the importance of intervention and rehabilitation efforts to steer offenders away from a path of criminality. The sentencing aims to not only hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions but also to provide them with an opportunity to reform and contribute positively to society.