A man with a stash of Class A drugs answered the door to police with a half smoked blunt behind his ear.

Police officers could ‘immediately smell the aroma of cannabis’ upon arrival at Eduardo Nunes’ home address.

After knocking several times, the 23-year-old eventually opened the door to officers.

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Southampton Crown Court heard how officers were called to the Coxford Road address following complaints from neighbours about drug use.

Prosecuting, Keely Harvey said Nunes made ‘a small admission’ that he had drugs in his bedroom.

Officers searching in his room found deal bags ‘strewn across the TV cabinet’ and bags containing ‘green pills’ and ‘white powder’.

Ms Harvey said: “A total of 39 ecstasy tablets with a street value of £78 to £195 were found, along with nine bags of cocaine with a street value of between £270 to £450.

“Police also seized two phones; one was hidden under the bed.

“Officers also seized empty deal bags and a set of scales.

“He claimed the drugs were for personal consumption.“The defendant was arrested, and he became emotional because he knew he this would mean he would be returning to prison.”

Nunes, of Coxford Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Mitigating, Khalid Missouri said Nunes left prison with a lot of hope, but that dissipated.

He said: “Upon leaving prison on licence in December his plan was to start an industrial cleaning business.

“He purchased the equipment and tried getting a loan for a van for the next stage.

“He was unable to get the loans from banks and building societies so he tried to get work but could not because of his previous conviction.

“Mr Nunes resorted to taking drugs and mixing with the wrong people.

“No cash was found at the address so this is not someone who is enjoying the commercial benefit of drugs.

“He is remorseful and he is doing all he can. He is clean in custody.”

Passing sentence, Judge Gary Burrell told Nunes: “You are destroying your life.”

He was handed a prison sentence of two years.