Bournemouth man jailed after guilty plea to drugs and weapons offences
It follows an undercover operation by officers from the Bournemouth East Neighbourhood Policing Team
A man from Bournemouth has been jailed for three years following an undercover operation by officers from the Bournemouth East Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT).
Darrell Tanaka Musendo, aged 20 and of Bournemouth, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 9 May 2025 after pleading guilty to drugs and weapons offences.
On Thursday 23 January 2025, Dorset Police say NPT officers received a report of a suspected drug deal taking place in Grants Avenue in the Boscombe area of the town.
Acting proactively, an officer observed Musendo leave an address in Grants Close and engage in a hand-to-hand exchange with someone before returning to the address.
Officers then attended the address later that day and, covering a rear window as a potential escape route, observed Musendo holding a large wrap of class A drugs in his hand. It is believed that he had planned to discard the wrap before seeing officers outside the address. Officers gained entry and seized the drugs, as well as a burner-style phone, over £500 in cash and a further drugs package from inside a toilet bowl, which contained heroin and uncut crack cocaine. Officers also seized a large Rambo-style machete knife from underneath the sofa.
Following enquiries – which included downloading messages from the burner phone – Musendo was arrested and subsequently charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A – heroin and crack cocaine, possessing an offensive weapon in a private place, and acquiring, using and possessing criminal property.
Police Constable Jo Morgan, of Bournemouth police, said: “The reports we received from concerned members of the public meant we were able to proceed proactively with identifying, arresting and charging Musendo for his illegal drug dealing and bring him before the courts to face justice.
“We would continue to urge the public to report any information they may have on suspected drug related activity in their area so we can build up an intelligence picture of what is occurring and take robust and decisive action.
“Anyone with information can report it to us at www.dorset.pnn.police.uk or call 101. If a crime is in progress, always dial 999.”