Drug dealer jailed after police found nunchucks and replica pistol
Nottinghamshire Police chased him on his e-scooter before seizing the weapons and a large supply of Class A drugs.
Last updated 12th Sep 2023
A Nottingham based drug dealer has been jailed for supplying Class A drugs and possession of an imitation firearm and offensive weapon in a public place.
Long Duong, 43 was stopped by Nottinghamshire Police on the 22nd September 2021.
Officers were patrolling the Radford area of the city when they saw Duong riding an e-scooter.
They activated their blue lights, suspecting he was a drug supplier, but Duong continued to pull away until he was stopped and detained in Palin Street.
Police found a Glock pistol-style gas-powered BB gun and a set of nunchucks inside his shoulder bag.
Checks revealed the gun was primed with pellets ready to fire.
He was also found with 87 wraps of heroin, 17 wraps of crack cocaine, two burner phones an business cards suggesting he was a dealer.
After searching his home in Derwent Court, Nottinghamshire police found more wraps of heroin and thousands of pounds in cash.
Duong went on to plead guilty to supplying heroin and crack cocaine in Radford.
Giving evidence at Nottingham Crown Court, Duong claimed he had been carrying the BB gun to do paper target practice in the park, when no members of the public would be around, and denied the suggestion he was carrying it for his personal protection.
He also said the nunchucks were for practicing the martial art of Jeet June Do and he did not appreciate they were in his bag until the police spotted him.
Sentencing to a total of three years and nine months in prison, Judge Nirmal Shant KC said Duong 'flew in the face of common sense' and deemed that he had been carrying the weapons 'for the purpose of defending himself or his drugs.'
Police Constable Adam Scotney, of the city knife crime team, said:
“As a force, we’re committed to doing everything in our power to crackdown on those involved in the supply of illegal drugs and weapon-related crime.
“Guns and other dangerous weapons have no place on our streets, and we will always take action to keep people safe and protect them from the harm caused by those who commit such offences.”