An Exeter man has been slapped with a suspended jail sentence after claiming a large stash of cannabis in his car was for his own use.
A 44-year-old man has appeared in court after officers found £20,000 worth of cannabis in the back of his car, writes Isabelle Pinnock, OPCC court reporting scheme.
Tadas Sadkauskas, of Water Lane, Exeter, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of a lock knife in a public place from November 18, 2024.
The court heard police were alerted to a vehicle suspected to be involved in drug supply.
They followed the car until it came to a natural stop outside the defendant’s address.
Officers called for backup, and Sadkauskas was detained.
The court heard he initially said there were no drugs in the car but then admitted there was marijuana in the back seat.
Four large vacuum bags were found containing a large amount of suspected cannabis.
Sadkauskas was arrested, and his vehicle was transported to Exeter police station, where a search revealed a lock knife in the glove compartment.
Just over two kilos of cannabis were seized with an estimated street value of £20,000, the prosecutor said.
Peter Seigne, defending, said there is no reference to Sadkauskas supplying drugs to anyone else.
“On the day he was arrested, he had driven to Bristol that day to pick up this large quantity of drugs,” Mr Seigne added.
District Judge Smith said: “So, he’s got almost two years’ worth of drugs for personal use.
“It’s almost beyond belief.”
Mr Seigne said: “That’s exactly his case.”
The court was told that Sadkauskas had paid £7,000 for the cannabis and intended to reduce it to oil to be made available to his close friends and family.
“He’s a hard worker,” Mr Seigne said.
“He stopped taking cannabis immediately and in my submission there’s valuable work that can be done.”
Sentencing, the judge said: “By pleading guilty, you are accepting your role in a drugs trade, a business, which destroys lives up and down the country.
“Those who peddle drugs are very much responsible for the utter devastation it can cause to communities and individuals.”
The judge said Sadkauskas played a significant role, rather than a lesser role.
“There is no direct evidence that you were selling directly to users, but I don’t fully accept that this amount was for personal use.
“Police have stopped you because of a marker on your vehicle that you were linked to drugs.”
Sadkauskas was handed an eight-month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months.
He must complete up to 20 rehabilitation activity days and was made subject to a curfew for six months.
He must also pay a surcharge of £187 and court costs of £85.
