Man arrested following Blackwater drugs raid jailed

He has also been issued with a Serious Crime Prevention Order

Author: Josh KerrPublished 26th Feb 2021

A man has been sentenced to eight years behind bars after pleading guilty to multiple drug offences.

Paul Neale, 35 of Denmark Street, Wokingham was sentenced when he appeared at Guildford Crown Court on Wednesday (24 February).

He was also issued with a Serious Crime Prevention Order which will remain in place for five years from his release date.

Neale was arrested on 23 December 2020 following a drugs warrant in Blackwater. While conducting a search, officers located a large amount of class A and class B drugs, with an estimated street value of over £100,000.

The drugs included cannabis, ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine. Officers also found a large amount of drug paraphernalia at the address including packaging, scales and mobile phones, as well as £700 in cash.

Neale was arrested and subsequently charged with conspiracy to supply class A, conspiracy to supply class B, two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and two counts of possession with intent to supply class B drugs.

Detective Constable Alex Sarakinis from Surrey Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit said: “Serious Crime Prevention Orders are not issued very often and the fact that Neale has been issued with this, as well as a significant prison sentence, highlights the severity of his offending.

“The order will give us the leverage we need to ensure his activities are curtailed once he is released from prison, and means that he will be restricted from owning more than one mobile, being in possession of more than £1,000 in cash and communicating with any co-conspirators. He must also notify Surrey Police of his home address. These orders are put in place to prevent reoffending following an individual’s release from prison.

“This case also demonstrates our determination to disrupt the supply of drugs in our local communities and ensure that those dealing drugs are brought to justice.”