A NEWPORT man was jailed for three and a half years for possessing heroin with intent to supply.

Rhys Amman, 23, of Torridge Road, Bettws, pleaded guilty to the charge on April 16, before being sentenced on Friday at Newport Crown Court.

The court heard on April 23 last year police officers were on patrol in the Maindee area of Newport when they carried out a drug search of a black Volkswagen Golf, in which Mr Amman was a rear seat passenger.

According to prosecutor John Warren, “in excess” of £500 was discovered in large bundles from the passenger footwell, and later on phones and a machete were also found in the car.

The three occupants of the car were then taken to Newport central police station, where the defendent produced a Kinder Surprise egg holder, in which bags of heroin were concelaed.

The court heard he told officers he had recently started in the drugs business.

Mr Warren added that the police search led them to a flat on Risca Road, where a quantity of heroin was found behind a light fitting and drug paraphanalia was ceased.

He said Mr Amman was linked to the property via DNA from a Wikinson Sword razor and pictures of him in the property on a mobile phone.

Setencing the defendent, judge Elery Rees said he was “caught red handed”.

and that the misuse of drugs and alcohol had had a “detrimental” effect on him.

Mr Amman will serve half of his sentence before being released on licence.