Man sent to prison for dealing Heroin, Crack Cocaine and Cocaine

A man has been jailed for possessing more than £51,000 of class A drugs in Southampton.

Mohammed Artan, 36, from Southampton, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine.

The courts sentenced him yesterday (18 May) to 40 months in prison, which goes some way to justify all the hard work and effort from Hampshire Constabulary.

Police carried out a warrant at an address in Centenary Plaza, Southampton, on 11 March.

The warrant took place around 8:15am, officers forced entry, moving quickly so as to not alert the occupants and give them a chance to destroy any evidence.

At the time Artan was found in the property and was detained, whilst they continued the search of the property.

After a thorough search, they found some digital scales, cling film and other substances believed to be Class A drugs.  These were located in the ceiling cavity.

Tests revealed the substances were cocaine and crack cocaine with a street value of £22,700 and heroin with a street value of £28,700, totalling £51,400.

Another substance was found to be a cutting agent used in drug production.

DC Andrew Ferguson from Western Investigations was the officer who led the case released a statement on social media.

He said: “Drugs, especially Class A drugs, cause massive harm to our community. As well as the damage it can cause to the life of the person taking them, the production and supply of drugs brings with it organised crime, serious violence, possession of firearms and exploitation of vulnerable adults and children.

“Artan was a link in the supply chain which has been broken now he has been put behind bars.

“County Lines Intensification Week is a more high-profile example of the work we do all year round in Southampton, particularly by our High Harm Team, to disrupt drug dealing in the city.

“We hope this sentencing shows that as a force we will do all in our power to get offenders to court and make Hampshire and the Isle of Wight a safer place to live.

“I would also urge anyone with information about drug dealing in their neighbourhood to report it to us so we can carry out warrants like this and arrest offenders.”