Swindon man sentenced to two years in prison for drug offences

Kurtis Knee, 23, of Keswick Road, Park South, was sentenced on October 14 at Swindon Crown Court.

He previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Cannabis and possessing criminal property.

Kurtis Knee, 23, of Keswick Road, Park South, was sentenced on October 14 at Swindon Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Cannabis and possessing criminal property.

On July 31 officers carried out a planned warrant on a property in Keswick Road where just under 10kg of Cannabis was located along with other suspected controlled drugs.

These drugs had a street value of tens of thousands of pounds, for example on a mean average if dealt individually as single bags costing £10 for example 10kg of cannabis could be worth £100,000.

More than £4,500 in cash was seized alongside criminal property in the form of clothing and trainers valued at £5689.

PC Thompson said: "Cannabis is seen by many as a low-level drug possession but the supply world is somewhat high risk with young people being pulled into drug dealing at young ages.

"Drug dealers commonly use dangerous illegal electric bikes and carry illegal weapons such as zombie knives or machetes.

"There are associated dangers from rival groups and people involved in the supply chain are at high risk of being robbed, threatened, assaulted or wounded. It also puts occupants of the property where the illegal drugs are being kept at risk."

Inspector David Tippetts said: "This is a significant seizure of drugs from a person who has continued to supply, despite being previously convicted, within the community that he lives.

"The Neighbourhood Policing Teams in Swindon will always respond to any information received to disrupt this type of activity.

"This result demonstrates our commitment to work with the local community to reduce and disrupt the supply of controlled drugs."

Organised criminal groups (OCGs) use phone lines to move and supply drugs, usually from cities into smaller towns and rural areas. They exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs. 

Criminals may also use a vulnerable person’s home as their base of operations. This is known as ‘cuckooing’. You can find more on county lines including signs to look out for and how to report concerns on our website: County lines | Wiltshire Police