Drug dealer Tyler Bowen, 23, has avoided an immediate prison sentence after being caught with nearly 250 wraps of heroin and cocaine at his Wolverhampton home. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard he planned to leave the Black Country and move to Wales for a 'fresh start'.
Bowen confessed he turned to dealing cocaine and heroin after amassing a £500 drugs debt of his own. He pleaded guilty to two counts of supply a controlled drug of class A cocaine and heroin, two counts of possession with intent to supply class A cocaine and heroin, and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.
Police raid seizes £2,400 stash
Prosecutor Maninder Chaggar said police executed a warrant at Bowen's then home in Frost Street, Ettingshall, Wolverhampton, on November 26 last year. Bowen, who was at the property and the sole tenant, was 'compliant'.
Officers seized 122 wraps of heroin, with a street value of £1,220, and 127 wraps of cocaine, worth £1,270. Cash totalling £658.40 was also found, along with scales, empty drug bags, a large hunting knife and a 'list of messages which showed that the defendant was supplying class A drugs'.
Court hears of limited role
The court heard Bowen has a previous conviction dating back to July 2024 for a 'completely dissimilar offence' - he was given a conditional discharge for possession of a Pitbull. Approximately 13.29g of crack cocaine and 13.19g of heroin were given to him in November 2025, while cash seized from the property was from his drug dealing.
Bowen said his role was that of a 'street dealer' but he 'exercised no control over' others. Dominic Bardill, defending, said Bowen played a 'limited role' in the drug dealing and is not part of any gang. He said Bowen had a £500 debt, adding: "He was a prolific user at the time."
Suspended sentence for fresh start
Sentencing, Recorder Brown said Bowen expected 'limited financial gain' from his drug dealing. He said: "You ended up in this situation entirely due to a drugs debt." Recorder Brown said Bowen's parents are 'prepared for him to go and stay with them in Wales' so that he can have a 'fresh start'.
He also noted that Bowen - who appeared via video link from HMP Dovegate - has a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. Bowen, now of Maes Dyfi, Machynlleth, Wales, was handed a 30-month sentence, suspended for three years, along with a 35-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 175 hours unpaid work on Monday, August 3.
