Derby drug dealer jailed

A Derby drug dealer has been jailed after 11 kilos of cannabis and a kilo of cocaine were found in a search of a city centre flat.

Officers stopped Mohammed Fazal’s Vauxhall Corsa in Manchester Street, just off Ashbourne Road, Derby, at 4.20pm on Monday, 7 June.

Working on intelligence that showed Fazal was linked to the supply of drugs in the city, officers from the specialist Risk Reduction Team and the SALCU road crime unit searched the 39-year-old’s car finding dealer bags of both cocaine and cannabis, £365 in cash and a so called “burner” phone.

On the phone were found text marketing messages from Fazal to customers, as well as orders for more drugs.

Also found on Fazal was a set of house keys which, after officers searched for the address, led them to a nearby flat just a matter of meters from where Fazal was stopped.

The flat was searched, and officers quickly found four large black plastic trunks in one of the bedrooms, each packed with bags of cannabis.

Along with the cannabis, which weighed nearly 11kgs, more than a kilo of cocaine was also found.

After testing, the cannabis was found to be worth as much as £54,000 and the cocaine could have brought in nearly £10,000 on the street.

Today (18 November) Fazal, of Kenilworth Drive, Derby, appeared at Derby Crown Court charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis and possession of criminal property.

The 39-year-old pleaded guilty to all three counts and was handed 30 months in prison.

Detective Sergeant Chris Barker said: “Today’s sentencing is the culmination of weeks of hard work by the officers from the Risk Reduction Team.

“The unit is specifically set up to target those individuals who pose the most risk to our communities.

“After receiving information that Fazal was linked to the supply of drugs, which we know cause real harm right across the city, the team, along with colleagues from the SALCU road crime unit, carried out a successful stop of Fazal’s car and a flat linked to him.

“It was clear that Fazal was no bit part player in the dealing of drugs, with a professional set up found by officers at what equated to a safe house for him to store and deal his drugs from.

“I would urge anyone who believes that drug dealing may be taking place in their area to report their concerns to the force, in confidence, and help make our city a safer place to live, work and visit.”