Jail for dealer found with heroin and cocaine in underwear

By Barrie Hudson - 12 September 2022

Crime

A Swindon man has been jailed for more than four years following arrests linked to drug dealing in the town.

Leandro Pinto, 19, of no fixed address, was first arrested on 2 March after he was linked to an address believed to be associated with class A drug supply. 

Pinto was found with wraps of heroin and cocaine stuffed into his underwear, as well as eight wraps in his mouth. He also had more than £400 cash and a burner phone on him at the time of the arrest.

Five days later, Pinto was spotted riding an electric bike in the Faringdon Park area. He was detained in Cambria Place and found to be carrying a rucksack described by the pelice as stuffed full of cannabis - a total of 54.81g.

On 20 March, officers were on duty in the town centre when they were made aware of a group of suspected drug dealers in the Wharf Green area.  As a number of the group were detained, Pinto was seen walking away from the area. He was detained and found in possession of six bags of cannabis.

On 28 April, a warrant was executed at an address linked to Pinto in Chalvedon Green. A mobile phone containing messages suggesting class A drug supply was seized and Pinto, who was found in bed, was arrested. 

In total, Pinto pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine, one count of possession with intent to supply heroin, possession of criminal property and three counts of possession with intent to supply cannabis.

He was sentenced to a total of 54 months imprisonment and an order was made for the destruction of all the drugs seized during the arrests.

Fortitude Investigator James Purcell said: “Officers from our Fortitude teams are committed to targeting prolific offenders like Pinto who continuously cause harm within our communities.

“The drugs seized from Pinto during multiple arrests had the potential to cause significant harm to vulnerable people living in Swindon and further afield. 

"Drugs is often seen as a victimless crime but that could not be further from the truth – drugs are often associated with violent crime and weapons, and I am therefore pleased we have been able to disrupt this individual from continuing to offend and ensure he was put before the courts and subsequently jailed for his involvement.”

Your Comments

Be the first to comment on this article

Login or Register to post a comment on this article

Subscribe to The Link

Registered in England & Wales. No: 4513027, Positive Media Group, Old Bank House, 5 Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 4BJ