Drug dealer from Reading jailed

He was arrested as he refuelled his car

Author: Jonathan RichardsPublished 17th Jun 2024

A man has been jailed for drug supply offences in Reading.

Erlon Billa, aged 20, of Portman Way, Reading, pleaded guilty to a count each of possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis, acquiring criminal property and driving a motor vehicle without insurance, in a hearing at Reading Crown Court.

Billa was sentenced to a total of two years’ imprisonment, given six points on his driving licence and ordered to forfeit drugs, phones and cash to the value of £305.

Pumps

At around 12.30am on 21 January, officers pulled into the Shell garage in Basingstoke Road, reading, and Billa was at the pumps in a silver BMW.

He was detained and provided false details to police, and he attempted to run away, but tripped and was detained again.

On searching the BMW, officers located a quantity of cannabis bags in an open rucksack on the rear seat along with 43 small bags of suspected class A drugs.

Within the rucksack and a black bin bag under the drivers’ seat, officers found further quantities of cannabis.

Billa also had £235 in cash and an iPhone in his possession.

He was arrested and charged the following day.

Disrupting

Detective Sergeant Jon Nicholls, based at Reading police station, said:

“We will never tolerate drug dealing in our communities and we will continue to proactively target and prosecute offenders.

“This activity will be both visible and covert, aimed at disrupting and pursuing offenders involved in the supply of drugs.

“The information from the public around drug supply in Reading plays a vital part in developing intelligence into a proactive investigation.

“We would urge anybody with information to report it to us."

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