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A drug addict told police officers searching his home in Cardiff for cocaine “it’s in the safe, there’s a lot of it”, a court heard.

Aron Browning was one of four men jailed at Cardiff Crown Court yfor their role in a conspiracy to supply the Class A drug.

Jordan Crook, Nike Benson and Leighton Smith also appeared before Judge Daniel Williams.

The court heard police carried out a drugs warrant at Browning’s home on Pwllmelin Road in Fairwater at 7.20pm on September 29 last year.

David Pugh, prosecuting, said officers asked him if there were controlled drugs at the premises and he replied: “It’s in the safe. There’s a lot of it.”

Browning provided a key to the safe and police recovered about 170g of cocaine, with a purity of around 80% and a potential street value of approximately £20,000.

Officers also found weighing scales, about £100 in cash, two mobile phones and a “tick list” of drug deals.

The court heard Smith then arrived at the property and was searched.

Officers searched his car, finding 6g of cocaine at 77% purity worth up to £800 and a tick list showing deals worth an estimated £13,000.

His home on Amroth Road, Ely, was searched and found to contain scales and bags showing traces of the drug, along with £240 in cash.

Police later searched Benson’s property on Norbury Avenue in Fairwater and found digital scales and bags – one containing about £50 worth of cocaine.

They also found about £50 worth of the drug at Crook’s home on MacDonald Road in Ely, along with £4,735 in cash.

Prosecutors said Crook and Benson gave no-comment interviews, while Smith claimed the cocaine found in his car did not belong to him.

Browning stated he was a cocaine user and was keeping some in his safe for someone else.

Crook, 27, admitted supplying cocaine, possessing cocaine with intent to supply and concealing criminal property.

Prosecutors said he was “wholesaling” the drugs and had seven previous convictions, including one for possessing cocaine.

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Gareth Morley, defending, said his client had a history of drug addiction and had been supplying to his friends. Crook was jailed for four years and eight months.

Benson, 27, admitted supplying cocaine and possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

The court heard he had three previous convictions, but Matthew Roberts, defending, stressed that none of those were for drug offences.

He said his client worked full-time as a plasterer and had a five-month-old baby.

Mr Roberts said: “Those who involve themselves in dealing Class A drugs often don’t realise how serious the penalties are and treat it as a normal way of life.

“They are now paying a very heavy price.”

Benson was jailed for three years and four months.

Browning, 27, admitted supplying cocaine and possessing cocaine with intent to supply. The court heard he had three previous convictions, including possessing cocaine.

Jon Lewis, defending, said his client first tried cocaine with friends in 2013 and it escalated into a “substantial addiction”.

The court heard the dad-of-one started taking it every weekend, then every day, spending £500 a week and “buying in bulk”. Browning was jailed for three years and four months.

Smith, 30, admitted supplying cocaine and possessing cocaine with intent to supply. In his basis of plea, he described himself as “a runner”.

William Cordingley, defending, stressed his client had no previous convictions and described him as a hard-working family man. Smith was jailed for three years.