AN "embarrassed" warehouse worker has been spared jail after being convicted of drugs offences.
Callum Sullivan, of Chester Road in Buckley, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court for sentence on Thursday.
The 25-year-old had previously admitted possession with intent to supply ketamine, as well as possession of cannabis resin at an earlier hearing.
Karl Scholz, prosecuting, told the court that in February 2021 police attended his home address to execute a warrant.
But they located Sullivan near his car on the street and told him why they were there.
He indicated what they were looking for could be found in a wardrobe.
When searching the property, officers found a paper bag containing 558 grams of ketamine.
They also found a zip bag containing cannabis resin in his car.
The value of the cannabis was "nominal," Mr Scholz said - but the ketamine would have been worth between £4,116 and £4,998 when broken down into street level deals.
Police also located a large quantity of cash at the property; some £6,919 in notes, as well as extra cash in his pockets.
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Two mobile phones recovered at the scene were examined but ultimately officers were unable to extract information from them as Sullivan did not provide the pin.
Jo Maxwell, defending, told the court: "He is a young man who presents as extremely embarrassed and regretful at finding himself in this position.
"He is still so embarrassed that he has been unable to tell his parents of the position he is in.
"He started taking ketamine himself and says he soon accumulated a £2,000 drug debt."
After finding himself unable to meet the demand, Sullivan turned to dealing ketamine himself, the court heard.
"He instructs me he is no longer into the drugs scene," Ms Maxwell said.
"He is employed as a warehouse operative.
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"My submissions are that the court could properly leave a suspended sentence handing over the head of Mr Sullivan."
Judge Rhys Rowlands told the defendant: "You were caught red-handed in possession of what was a large amount of ketamine, together with packaging, scales and a significant amount of money.
"At this time you were selling ketamine in the Buckley area for reward - it was a risk you were prepared to take."
However the Judge acknowledged Sullivan's previous good character and good work record.
He handed down an 18 month sentence for the ketamine, but suspended it for 18 months.
Sullivan must undertake 200 hours of unpaid work.
No separate penalty was handed down for the cannabis and no financial orders were made.
Confiscation proceedings were started and adjourned - to be continued later this year.
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