A former university student who bought two Rolex watches after dealing in Class A drugs was today jailed for five years and three months.
Jacob Dobbs, 23, of Vespasian Way, North Hykeham, was caught after police carried out a search at his address in April 2023, Lincoln Crown Court heard today (Wednesday, April 17).
Analysis of his mobile phone showed Dobbs was involved in the sale of cocaine, ecstasy tablets, cannabis and nitrous oxide over a seven month period during 2022.
Just under six kilos of ketamine and £83,000 in cash was also recovered from the address, Lincoln Crown Court heard.
Dobbs admitted acting as a "middle-man" and taking a 15% cut after becoming introduced to drug dealers through his own habit.
Passing sentence Judge Simon Hirst told Dobbs he had been given significant credit for turning his life around.
But Judge Hirst warned Dobbs this mitigation would not be available to him again if he returned to crime after being released from jail.
"I am satisfied through all of this you had an operational role and expected financial gain," Judge Hirst told Dobbs.
Judge Hirst said Dobbs was also involved in a sophisticated operation to move cash from drugs trafficking on the streets of Lincoln.
The court heard Dobbs first came to the attention of police in October 2018 when he was stopped with 15 grams of ecstasy. A further 151 grams of ecstasy were intercepted after being sent to his then Lincoln address from Holland.
At that time Dobbs was just 17 years of age, the court was told.
Dobbs was caught with just under 250 grams of cocaine of import level purity after he was stopped for a second occasion on the A616 near Newark in February 2023. A Rolex watch worth £6,250 was seized from his home.
A police investigation codenamed 'Operation Waterloo' also linked Dobbs to handling a bag containing £53,000 in cash which was picked up by another man who travelled to Lincoln from the West Midlands.
Following his arrest a police drugs expert analysed messages and tick lists found on a mobile phone belonging to Dobbs.
It linked Dobbs to the sale of 1.2 kilos of cocaine, 1,139 ecstasy tablets, 737 grams of cannabis and 30 boxes of nitrous oxide.
Police also recovered vacuum bags and a set of scales containing traces of cocaine and ketamine from Dobbs' address and a second Rolex watch which was valued at £5,000.
The court heard Dobbs also made a trip to Dubai and a gold bar was purchased in his name.
Dobbs, who was remanded into custody at an earlier hearing, admitted possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of ecstasy on a date during 2018.
He also pleaded guilty to three offences of acquiring or possessing criminal property, possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and supplying cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis and nitrous oxide over a seven month period in 2022.
Dobbs also admitted supplying around a kilo of ketamine but maintained he was having to store the six kilos of ketamine found at his home for others higher up the chain.
The court was told a psychiatric report had diagnosed Dobbs with a personality disorder which made him prone to impulsive behaviour and vulnerable to drug dealers higher up the chain.
Hugh Forgan, mitigating for Dobbs, said he suffered a difficult childhood and had his education disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The court heard Dobbs achieved a place at Nottingham Trent University after returning to education to complete his A-levels.
Mr Forgan said Dobbs was trying to break free from the drugs world by setting up businesses in catering and clothing when he was arrested by the police.
After being remanded into prison Mr Forgan said Dobbs had undertaken a number of courses.
A letter from Dobbs' mother confirmed he had been diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder.
