Drug dealer who failed to co-operate with police sentenced at Swindon Crown Court

A man has been sentenced to four years and seven months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Kamal Said, aged 20, of Northolt, Middlesex, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday.

On 25 April 2017, officers from the Dedicated Crime Team (DCT) attended the address of a vulnerable drug user in the Faringdon Road area to conduct a welfare concern visit. When they entered the address, they located Said and recovered a large kitchen knife which was found on the bed next to where he was detained.

Said was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and taken to Gablecross Police Station for further searches.

During the search, officers located a small amount of herbal cannabis and over £300 in cash in his underwear. It was also believed that Said had concealed drugs internally but refused to consent to an examination and x-ray at the Great Western Hospital.

During his time in custody, he refused any food and drink and refused to co-operate with officers. As a result, he was put before magistrates who saw it fit to allow officers to detain him for a period of up to 192 hours with extensions authorised by the court if necessary, so the drugs could be recovered. Eventually, he produced a number of wraps of class A drugs.

At this time, Said was already on bail for drug offences in Wiltshire following an arrest on 6 December 2016 when he was located by officers in a vulnerable drug users address in the town centre. On this occasion, he was found in possession of a large knife.

A further search on this occasion found Said to be in possession of heroin and crack cocaine worth approximately £4,340, as well as approximately £500 in cash.

PC Matt Dickens, of the DCT, said: “This is an example of proactive work by the Dedicated Crime Team, targeting the most dangerous in our communities. Drug dealers like Said will exploit the vulnerable to conduct their business and will often administer threats and violence.

"They have no other reasonable excuse or links with the area. They have an extremely negative impact on the local community, therefore it is in the public interest to pursue them and put them before the courts to reduce the threat they pose to the vulnerable.

“Said clearly took steps to avoid detection, however the dedication and perseverance of officers paid off.

“This case sends a clear message to drug dealers targeting our communities that we will use all powers available to recover evidence and prosecute."

If you suspect drug activity in your area, please call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.