Isle of Man drug dealer caught with £19k spared jail

Lewis Smith was caught with £19,000 of cannabis in July

A drug dealer caught with £19,000 worth of cannabis has been spared jail due to the "family dynamics" at home.

Lewis Smith, 33, admitted selling the Class B drug by organising deals over Snapchat.

Douglas Courthouse heard when police went to his home on 5 July he told them he "knew this was coming" and showed them where the drugs were hidden.

Deemster Graeme Cook said were it not for his family's reliance on him he would have been sent to prison.

The court heard Smith, of Edremony Estate in Port Erin, showed police where the cannabis was in his bedroom during the search of his home.

As well as the larger quantity, a smaller amount worth about £280 for Smith's personal use was also seized.

Lewis Smith was handed a suspended sentence at Douglas Courthouse

The court heard he would organise his deals using the social media platform and would often meet people at the back of his home.

Evidence from Smith's phone showed he had been dealing since October 2022, and had been buying it for his own use since 2019.

He pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis, possession with intent to supply, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

His defence advocate said any profit made from selling the drugs had been used to pay for "essentials" for his children, and his partner had a medical condition that meant she relied heavily on him emotionally, physically and financially.

Deemster Cook said were it not for those "exceptional circumstances" there "would be no question" that he would face "an immediate custodial sentence".

He handed him an 18-month sentence suspended for two years with two years supervision.

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X? You can also send story ideas to [e-mail]