A DRUG dealer was literally caught red handed when police identified his fingerprints from a PHOTOGRAPH he posted on WhatsApp showing ecstasy pills in his hand.

Elliot Morris, 28, took a picture of himself holding the Ikea and Skype branded tablets and sent the image to his friends.

Ellis was arrested when police were able to forensically scan the fingerprints on the snap and identify them as his after it provided a match on the national database.

Ellis, of Redditch, Worcs., was jailed for eight-and-a-half years at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday (13/3) after he admitted conspiracy to drugs and intent to supply cannabis.

A court heard how he was also one of nine gang members to supply cannabis – including his parents, Darren, 51, and Dominque, 44, of Redditch, Worcs.

His father also was jailed for 27 months and his mum for a year for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

An investigation into the gang began when police raided the home of Joe Thomas, 25, in South Wales on August 23 after witnessing a drop-off at the property.

He was then arrested alongside Aaron McKay, 22, Danial Jenkins, 26, Nathan Burgess, 26, and Michael Rouse, 31, after bags of drugs of ‘Gorilla Glue’ cannabis were discovered at the home.

Analysis of McKay’s phone uncovered WhatsApp messages dating back months, which linked him to the Morris family, who were his up-stream suppliers.

Darren and Dominique were arrested after a cannabis factor was discovered at their home, and it was later discovered that their son had head up the operation.

He was arrested alongside girlfriend Rosaleen Abdel-Salam, 25, of Tutnall, Worcs., and Chazino Suban, 27, of Birmingham.

Officers then discovered an image of a hand holding a number of ecstasy tablets, which was taken from a mobile phone.

Fingerprint experts from the Joint Scientific Support Unit (JSIU) at South Wales Police were able to positively link the prints to Morris.

It was also found that he had hidden £20,000 in bitcoin accounts, the majority of which was gained from illegal drug sales.

In total, cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy worth around £36,000 and around £21,000 in cash, was recovered during the investigation.

Detective Inspector Dean Taylor, of South Wales Police, said: “This was a complex investigation which successfully drew on the skills of colleagues from multiple departments to ensure these drug dealers were brought to justice.

“This case again reiterates the importance of communities reporting their suspicions to us.

“The investigation began as the result of local intelligence about Joe Thomas and Aaron McKay, and what initially presented as a small-scale drug-dealing operation by two local men, soon unravelled in to a much larger, sophisticated set-up.

“It is testament to our officers, and all those involved, that we were able to secure convictions against this gang.”

Dave Thomas, forensic operations manager for the force, said: “Specialist staff within the JSIU fully utilised their expert image-enhancing skills which enabled them to provide something that the unit’s fingerprint identification experts could work.

“Despite being provided with only a very small section of the fingerprint which was visible in the photograph, the team were able to successfully identify the individual.”

RUNDOWN OF SENTENCES

Joe Rees Thomas, 25, of Bridgend County, South Wales was jailed for 27 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis, producing cannabis and possessing cocaine.

Aaron McKay, 22, of Bridgend County, South Wales was jailed for 27 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Danial Jenkins, 26, of Bridgend County, South Wales was jailed for eight months for conspiracy to supply cannabis,

Nathan Burgess, 26, of Bridgend County, South Wales was jailed for nine months for conspiracy to supply cannabis and possessing a Class B drug,

Michael Rouse, 31, of Bridgend County, South Wales, was jailed for nine months for conspiracy to supply cannabis

Jonathan Scanlon, 27, of Bridgend County, South Wales was jailed for 30 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis and possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

Elliott Morris, 28, of Redditch, Worcestershire was jailed for eight-and-a-half years for conspiracy to supply cannabis, possessing MDMA with intent to supply and possessing cocaine

Darren Morris, 51, from Redditch, Worcestershire, was jailed for 27 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Dominique Morris, 44, from Redditch, Worcestershire, was jailed for 12 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Chazino Suban, 28, of Birmingham, was fined £700 for possessing cannabis and cocaine.

Rosaleen Abdel-Salam, 25, of Tutnall, Worcestershire, was fined £350 for possessing ecstasy.