Doncaster man jailed after drugs worth £40,000 found in holdall
The 21-year-old was linked to cocaine, heroin, and cash found in seized bag
A Doncaster man has been sentenced to six years and three months in jail after patrol officers seized a holdall containing drugs worth more than £40,000.
Police officers on routine patrol in the Hyde Park area of Doncaster noticed 21-year-old Elliot Bucknall transferring the holdall to another person near a black Land Rover parked on Somerset Road.
When Bucknall left the scene, officers apprehended the individual who was handed the bag, finding cocaine valued at £40,000, heroin worth £3,000, and £4,885 in cash inside.
Although Bucknall initially fled, forensic evidence later linked him to the illegal substances found in the bag, leading to his arrest.
He pleaded guilty to multiple drug-related offences, alongside charges of dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, and failing to stop.
On January 28, Bucknall, of Theobald Avenue, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court. In addition to his prison term, he received a 13-month driving disqualification.
The person who was arrested with the holdall has been charged with several offences, including drug dealing, acquiring criminal property, and possessing a knife or blade in public. Authorities confirmed a warrant is out for their arrest after failing to appear in court.
Detective Constable Ellen Hoszowski, of South Yorkshire Police, said:
“Bucknall sought to profit from the misery, violence and fear that the drugs trade brings to our local communities.
“The supply of drugs creates an environment in which criminals prosper, but routine intelligence-led patrols led to the seizure of a significant amount of harmful drugs and Bucknall paying the price for his criminality.
“Drug dealers may think they are untouchable, but behind the scenes teams are working relentlessly to gather vital intelligence on their activities and whereabouts.
“We will continue to target those involved in drug supply, but we can only do that with your help. The information you provide helps to shape and steer our investigations, and I encourage anyone with concerns about possible drug dealing in their area to contact us.
“If you spot anything suspicious, please report it so we can prevent needless drug deaths and target those spreading harm in our communities.”