26/08/2026
SENTENCED | A drug dealer who hid from police after throwing his stash into a Hereford garden was yesterday (Tuesday 25 August) sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
Lawrence Cardoso, 20, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two offences – possession with intent to supply a class A drug – co***ne and possession with intent to supply a class B drug – cannabis.
Cardoso appeared before Worcester Crown Court, sitting at Hereford, yesterday where he was sentenced to 30 months in a young offenders’ institution for the first offence and nine months to run concurrently for the second.
On Wednesday 3 June, plain clothed officers were around Newton Farm Skate Park Fields in Hereford on enquiries when they approached to speak with Cardoso about a separate matter.
But Cardoso, who was already on a suspended sentence order for previous drug dealing offences, ran as soon as officers approached him, dropping a phone in the process.
As he ran, he was seen to throw items into a garden on Kilpeck Avenue, before he was located hiding in gardens on Powys Walk nearby, where he was detained.
Officers searched gardens on Kilpeck Avenue, locating a quantity of co***ne and cannabis packaged into street ready deals.
Cardoso was arrested. The phone he dropped was found to contain numerous messages showing that he was involved in class A and B drug supply, and he was subsequently charged with the above offences.
Cardoso was further sentenced to a further 24 months to run consecutively in addition to yesterday’s result, for breaching his suspended sentence order.
That order was given to him in April 2026 when he was sentenced for the offences of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug – co***ne, being concerned in the supply of a class B drug – ketamine and being concerned in the supply of a class B drug – cannabis, following conviction in February.
This made his total sentence 54 months or four years and six months detention.
Detective Constable Simon Caine of Hereford Proactive CID said: “This was a welcome court result putting a problematic drug dealer whose criminality has been causing harm to the communities of Hereford behind bars.
“He did not learn his lesson, having ignored his suspended sentence order from February and was justly jailed for extra time for those earlier offences too.
“The impact of drug dealing and illegal drug use in our communities is well documented and we would encourage anyone with any information that can help us prosecute those responsible to share it with us.”
• Anyone who suspects drug dealing in their area is urged to report it to us via https://orlo.uk/7lnkN or by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.
• Alternatively, if you have information but don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers. It is 100% anonymous, they never ask your name, and they cannot trace your call or IP address. You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111.
