A young father from Lozells has been jailed for seven years after police uncovered a loaded firearm, class A drugs, and more than £40,000 in cash at a Cradley Heath property he was looking after.
Police raid on Timbertree Court
Tashaun Bailey, 22, was at the property on Valley Road when officers arrived on December 21 last year. They were conducting arrest enquiries for a man wanted in connection with drugs offences. Bailey, who was not the suspect, spoke to officers through a window but appeared nervous, moving back and forth during an intermittent conversation.
Officers smelled cannabis coming from the property and demanded entry. Bailey initially denied knowing the suspect and handed over an iPhone as a woman on the line claimed the property belonged to her, saying police could not enter without a warrant and that the suspect might be in London.
Discovery of drugs and firearm
When police forced entry, they found a large quantity of class A drugs, including a 1kg rock of cocaine under a bed. Bailey then told officers about a firearm, saying, "A gun, a firearm. It's just under the bed, it's not mine." A live and viable firearm loaded with six rounds was seized from a sock in a plastic bag, along with 10 more rounds of ammunition in a rucksack.
A safe that had to be broken open contained more than £40,000 in cash, a ring, and a watch. The cocaine was valued between £26,000 and £30,000, and the heroin between £18,000 and £23,000.
Bailey's statement and sentencing
In a prepared statement, Bailey said he was "really scared and panicked" and knew everything would be found. He claimed he had a debt on his head, did not live at the property, and found the firearm under the bed. He denied owning the drugs, gun, or valuables.
Bailey pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, cocaine, and heroin, possession of a prohibited firearm, two counts of possessing ammunition, and possession of criminal property. His defence said he was "performing a role as directed by" the suspect and showed sincere remorse.
Judge John Butterfield said Bailey was "in effect, a custodian of the flat" and jailed him for seven years on July 31.
