A Vincentian man who entered the United Kingdom illegally in 2024 and later became involved in a Class-A drug trafficking operation has pleaded with a court not to deport him, saying he fears returning to St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Antonio Ferdinand, 26, was sentenced to 43 months in prison after admitting two counts of possessing Class-A drugs with intent to supply.
However, his lawyer told Reading Crown Court that deportation after his sentence could separate him from his 12-month-old British-born child, causing what he described as severe emotional distress.
The court heard that Ferdinand was arrested in the Berkshire town of Reading alongside 48-year-old Claire Caesar after police officers observed suspicious activity around their vehicle.
Prosecutor Michael Attenborough told the court that officers saw a known drug user approaching and leaving the vehicle while the pair were inside.
Police then noticed the defendants “frantically fiddling with a small object near the centre console” before officers searched the vehicle.
During the search, police recovered approximately 40 wraps of cocaine and 19 wraps of heroin, along with £219 in cash stored in the front passenger door.
Investigators also examined Ferdinand’s mobile phone and discovered a message sent to potential buyers advertising that drugs were available for sale.
Prosecutors said Ferdinand had become deeply involved in the drug supply network by August last year.
The Vincentian national was responsible for purchasing drugs in bulk and recruiting others to distribute them on the streets, the court heard.
Ferdinand’s lawyer, Daniel O’Donoghue, described him as a man who had experienced a troubled upbringing in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
According to the defence, Ferdinand struggled in school and left at age 16 without qualifications.
“He grew up in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and had a significantly difficult time at school,” O’Donoghue told the court.
“The conclusion of the psychiatrist is that he suffers from depression and anxiety.”
The lawyer said Ferdinand became involved with criminal gangs at a young age before leaving St Vincent in 2024 and travelling to the UK without legal status.
After initially staying with a friend, he was later evicted and became homeless, living in a tent in Victoria Park in East London.
“In that state of homelessness he became involved in this enterprise,” the lawyer said.
“He does not suggest he had an addiction to drugs himself. It was out of desperation. He had no means of supporting himself.”
The defence told the court that deportation is Ferdinand’s greatest concern.
His lawyer said the Vincentian fears returning to St Vincent and the Grenadines and worries he could lose contact with his young child in Britain.
“He has a child in the UK who is 12 months old,” O’Donoghue said.
“He is fearful of being deported without having any further contact with his child.”
Sentencing the defendants, Judge Rachel Drake said both Ferdinand and Caesar were heavily involved in the drug operation.
“At this time, the two of you were wholly involved with this operation, with responsibility for bulk purchasing, recruiting others to be street dealers and organising the wrapping of individual packages,” the judge said.
“You were making a financial profit.”
Addressing Ferdinand directly, the judge noted that he had come to the UK after becoming involved with criminal gangs but had continued criminal activity after arriving.
“You quite willingly got involved in dealing drugs here to provide yourself with an income, as you have no legitimate authority to be here and no legitimate way of earning money,” she said.
“The consequences for you are going to be challenging — you are scared to return to St Vincent.”
Judge Drake sentenced Ferdinand to 43 months in prison and told him he would be placed on licence if he is not deported after completing his sentence.
