A county lines drug dealer has been sentenced to more than six years in prison after a concealed car key led police to a significant stash of illegal substances worth £30,000.
The Raid and Discovery
On April 16, Derbyshire Constabulary executed a warrant at Daanish Bhatti's former home on Chilham Way in the Boulton Moor area of Derby. Acting on intelligence linking him to a dedicated drug line known as the 'Diamond Line', officers searched the property.
During the raid, they discovered a hidden car key. This key was later used to unlock a vehicle parked nearby, which contained a large quantity of drugs with an estimated street value in excess of £30,000.
A Pattern of Exploitation
An in-depth investigation revealed that Bhatti was at the heart of distributing heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine across the west of Derby. His criminal enterprise relied on systematic exploitation.
Bhatti was found to have been exploiting vulnerable teenagers to sell drugs on his behalf. Furthermore, he used the homes of drug users and vulnerable adults as bases for his dealing operations, causing significant harm to the community.
Justice Served
At Derby Crown Court on Wednesday, November 12, Daanish Bhatti admitted to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. He was subsequently jailed for six years and five months.
Detective Sergeant Ross O’Brien, who leads the criminal exploitation team that investigated the case, stated: "Bhatti is an unscrupulous criminal who systematically exploited children and adults in order to sell drugs." He emphasised the huge impact on both the directly exploited individuals and the wider communities.
DS O'Brien also urged the public to come forward with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, as it can be a vital piece of the puzzle in bringing offenders to justice.
