A drug dealer who concealed heroin and crack cocaine inside a deodorant dispenser has been handed a significant prison sentence.
Daniel Carruthers, who lives in the Blue Mountains area of Wallingford, learned his fate at Oxford Crown Court on the afternoon of Thursday, March 26.
The 34-year-old man was found guilty during last year’s trial of possessing two category A drugs with the purpose of supplying them, namely heroin and crack cocaine.
The investigation began after an incident occurred on May 29 of the previous year, when officers located illegal substances at a home on Northfield Road in Headington.
During the trial, the jury was informed that Carruthers had been staying at the property together with a woman named Sonia Raj.
Officers attended the address in connection with a separate matter and witnessed Carruthers and Ms Raj in the bedroom, the court heard.
Authorities entered via a window and searched the bedroom. They inspected several deodorant dispensers and came across a sizeable wrapping concealed within.
Inside were somewhere between 100 and 150 smaller packages containing both white and dark powdery substances. Tests established the materials were crack cocaine and heroin.
The amount uncovered suggested the individual was engaged in drug dealing.
No illegal substances were found inside the defendant’s own personal toiletry item.
The jury was told that a gold tooth was taken from a bag in the bedroom, while officers also located a lock-knife in the lounge.
Carruthers was arrested and provided a prepared account. He denied any awareness of the drugs found at the address.
Jurors watched body-worn video captured by an officer who searched the bedroom.
The footage showed two roll-on style deodorant containers with packages being removed from them. Officers secured the packages as evidence.
The canisters were pointed out to jurors as being Sure men’s brand products.
Carruthers received additional sentences for one charge of assault causing actual bodily harm, unlawful possession of a weapon in a private setting, specifically a zombie knife, and having cocaine and cannabis in his possession.
He entered guilty pleas to these matters, which occurred in the capital on April 18, 2022.
The court was informed he punched his victim in the abdomen and dragged them along a road.
Judge Hassan Khan alluded to a written statement submitted by Carruthers.
The Judge commented that the defendant disassociates himself from the jury’s decisions. He insists the drugs did not belong to him. He does not concede that his DNA was present on the substances. This marks his third conviction for supplying illegal drugs.
Carruthers was sentenced to a total of eight years behind bars, along with orders for the seizure and disposal of the confiscated drugs and mobile phone.