Two jailed for drug offences after being stopped in Ludgershall
It happened before the pandemic
Two people from Andover have been jailed for a total of four and a half years for being concerned in the supply of drugs after being stopped by Wiltshire Police in Ludgershall.
In February 2020, officers out on patrol noticed a black Land Rover on Johnson Way, which had two people standing nearby acting suspiciously.
When they noticed the police car approaching they quickly got into the vehicle to drive away.
One of the Land Rover’s rear number plate lights was not working, so officers stopped the car and spoke to the driver Daniel Baker.
Officers then saw that the vehicle was listed as having no insurance on the Police National Computer, and, due to the strong smell of cannabis coming from the car, carried out a search.
They found a large amount of cash and several mobile phones, so Baker was arrested.
Further enquiries, such as financial and phone downloads, linked Baker’s partner at the time, Kayleigh Chant, to the supply of Class A drugs.
Following a lengthy and detailed investigation, the pair were both charged by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Baker, 27, of Weavers Close was convicted of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (cocaine) and being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs (cannabis) and was jailed for two years and six months.
Meanwhile Chant, 33, of Rack Close, was convicted of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (cocaine) and she was jailed for two years and one month.
A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said:
“This case came about thanks to the two observant officers who noticed the suspicious behaviour of the occupants of the Land Rover and pulled the car over for further enquiries.
"What began as a routine traffic stop ended with two people being jailed for Class A drugs offences, so this highlights the importance of this sort of proactive policing.
“We know our communities are concerned about the impact of drug dealing, and the harm that this type of offending brings, so we want people to be reassured that we are taking action.”
If you have any suspicions about drug dealing in your local community you should report this to the police by calling 101 or visit their website.