A teenager from Birmingham has been sent to a young offenders' institution after police witnessed him dealing class A drugs on a residential street in broad daylight.
Afternoon Arrest on Casey Lane
The incident unfolded on Casey Lane in Burton-on-Trent at around 3pm on 24 September last year. Officers from Staffordshire Police observed what they believed to be a suspicious exchange taking place inside a parked car.
When they moved in to investigate, the occupant, Hamza Shazad, aged 18, attempted to run from the scene. He was quickly apprehended by police.
Significant Haul of Class A Drugs
A search of the vehicle and Shazad revealed a substantial quantity of illegal substances ready for sale. Police recovered a total of 78 individual wraps of crack cocaine and 12 wraps of heroin.
A sum of cash, believed to be the proceeds of drug sales, was also seized during the operation.
Court Sentencing and Police Statement
Shazad, of Birmingham, appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday 14 January. He pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
The judge sentenced him to two years and nine months in a young offenders' institution.
Commenting on the case, Chief Superintendent Victoria Downing from the force's major and organised crime unit said: “Shazad was brazen in his drug dealing activity, in the middle of the afternoon, and though he tried to make his escape, officers were thankfully able to arrest him.”
She added: “I am pleased he has been jailed for his offending and hope this reassures the community we continue to do all we can to disrupt the supply of illegal drugs in our communities and bring offenders before the courts.”
