A drug dealer was caught with ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis with a street value of almost $20,000, a court heard.

Police searching the home of Melvin Allan Stoneham found the stash of drugs on December 21, last year.

Stoneham, 53, of Scenic Heights Pass, Southampton, yesterday pleaded guilty at Magistrates’ Court to possession of ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of equipment for the preparation and misuse of a controlled drug, namely a set of digital scales and a metal grinder.

Paula Tyndale, prosecuting, said Police narcotics officers searched Stoneham’s home with a sniffer dog after receiving a tip-off.

When officers found a clear plastic wrap in a brown shirt in his closet containing cannabis, Stoneham said: “I have nothing to say. You found it there, what can I say?”

Police then discovered wraps and plastic bags of cocaine in the bedroom, plus a black pouch full of hundred and fifty dollar notes to the value of $5,000.

In the bathroom, nine tablets were hidden in a cod liver oil bottle. When Stoneham was asked what they were, he replied: “I do not know about them.”

Police also seized a set of digital scales with traces of cocaine. A metal grinder with traces of cannabis was found in a bin by the bed, but Stoneham claimed it belonged “to a friend”.

Miss Tyndale said officers then searched the kitchen and recovered a clear plastic bag containing white powder on top of the fridge.

When Stoneham was asked what it was, he replied: “It’s drugs, it’s drugs, it’s drugs.”

Officers then found cocaine in a silver-coloured drink mixer in the kitchen cupboard.

Stoneham, a cable technician, told them: “Don’t look any further, I have some more stuff in there. I don’t want to waste any more time.”

Officers then recovered a clear zip-lock bag filled with white powder and another containing blue and white tablets.

At 11.45 p.m., seven hours after Police initiated their search warrant, Stoneham was arrested on suspicion of controlled drugs with intent to supply.

He was interviewed at Hamilton Police Station the next day.

Miss Tyndale said: “He admitted that the items seized from his apartment were controlled drugs and belonged to him.”

A government laboratory analysis reported 65 grams of cocaine with a street value of $18,250; 19 blue and white Ecstasy tablets valued at $950; and seven grams of cannabis with a street value of $375.

Richard Horseman, defending, said the cannabis was for Stoneham’s “personal use” and that he had admitted his guilt at the earliest opportunity.

“He made a full and frank confession and admitted the drugs were his at that time,” said Mr Horseman.

“More importantly, Mr Stoneham is a man of 53 years of age and has no previous convictions whatsoever.”

He told the court: “I ask you to take his previous good character into account.

“The reason Mr Stoneham finds himself in this predicament is he found himself in a hole as a result of drugs. This is not any excuse that Mr Stoneham found himself stupidly taking up this opportunity.”

Mr Horseman said Stoneham was married with a two-year-old son.

“He wants to apologise to all those people he has let down,” he said.

“This has been a matter which has weighed heavily on him as it has not only affected him but also his family.

“What hurts him the most is that he is going to have to spend time away from his two-year-old son. He has deeply regretted this and apologises to the community of Bermuda.”

Addressing the court, Stoneham said: “I would like to apologise to my wife. I want to be home with my wife and baby.”

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo jailed the defendant for four years and ordered forfeiture of the seized $5,000.

He told Stoneham: “I note that you are a family man with a wife and young child but you are a mature individual who also knew what you were doing was illegal.

“I am mindful of your mitigation but the need of the community is to deter those engaged in this kind of offence.”