Two jailed for drug dealing in North Tyneside
Two men have been jailed after being caught dealing drugs hidden in a North Tyneside park. The pair, Sean Cairns and Paul Miller, have been jailed for a total of five years eight months at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, May 23, after pleading guilty to conspiring to supply heroin (Class A drugs) across North Tyneside. Cairns aged 25, of Broadacre, Wardley in Gateshead, and Miller aged 35, of Minton Lane in North Shields were both arrested after police were made aware of suspicious activity in Linear Park in North Shields. A Northumbria Police operation to crackdown on drug dealers across North Tyneside last May had led to the men hiding thousands of pounds worth of heroin inside the park, in a failed bid to avoid being found by officers. Miller's home had earlier been raided by police when officers recovered ÂŁ1,900 in cash hidden in a pair of wellington boots. Both Miller and Cairns were later stopped by police leaving Linear Park after collecting heroin they had hidden in the park. Police seized ÂŁ500 worth of heroin from the car, and found Miller had ÂŁ1,375 in cash and multiple mobile phones. Officers went on to make a search of Linear Park and recovered ÂŁ5,000 of heroin wrapped in plastic bags and left under rocks in the dene. In total officers seized ÂŁ5,442 in cash along with their Volvo car. Miller has been sentenced to 38 months imprisonment and Cairns to 30 months imprisonment. A proceeds of crime hearing is scheduled for September. Chief Inspector Jamie Pitt, Northern Area Command said: "We take the issue of drug dealing very seriously as we know that heroin causes great misery in our communities with those dependent on it often committing crime to pay for their habit. We also work closely with partners to signpost users for help and support. "We target dealers as we want to remove them from the community to prevent further harm. It is of particular concern that these men were dealing drugs hidden in a park, these items could have been found by children who may have taken them or by pets or animals. Thankfully this did not occur. "We are pleased with the sentences handed down and hope this sends a clear message that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated by the courts. Our main priority is to protect communities and get drugs off the streets. In this operation we have prevented thousands of pounds worth of drugs being sold in North Tyneside." Anyone with information or concerns about drug dealing in their community is asked to contact their local neighbourhood policing team on 101.