Searches at the home of a suspected dealer uncovered not only a quantity of drugs, but also a range of weapons, including a knuckle duster and a taser, a court heard.
Jordan Parker, who had previously been arrested several times for drug supply, was the subject of a warrant to search his home in Denton View, Gateshead, in November, last year.
It was part of Project Adder, a police scheme to tackle drug and alcohol-related crime.
In searching the property officers found a quantity of cash, cannabis and a range of weapons including a BB gun and a machete.
Read more: Durham police seize drugs and cash in County Lines crackdown
The court heard it followed a warrant previously executed at the same property in May last year, during which officers seized 80 wraps of crack and cocaine, worth an estimated £1,500.
On that occasion the drugs were found inside a canister, disguised as a can of cola, as well as an extendable baton and a knuckle duster.
Despite being arrested and released under investigation, it did not deter Parker, who would once again attract the attention of authorities in July.
This time it was when he crashed his car into a wall in the Winlaton area of Gateshead, resulting in members of the public detaining him until police arrived at the scene.
Officers took him into custody and recovered a machete, £1,975 cash and drugs from the car.
When Parker was once again released under investigation, detectives set about ensuring a water-tight case was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Jordan Parker, jailed for five years for drugs and weapons offences
It resulted in him being charged with a total of 14 offences, including possession of crack cocaine and cannabis, being concerned in the offer to supply both substances, possession of criminal property, as well as possession of prohibited weapons and appeared in court later that day.
He was then remanded in custody until he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday, March 8, when the 23-year-old defendant received a five-year prison sentence.
Read more: Four men jailed in separate cases before Durham Crown Court last week
Praising the exhaustive efforts of his team, Detective Sergeant Fran Joyce, of Northumbria Police, said: “In order to protect those most at risk from the effects drug supply has in our community, it’s vital we continue our work in disrupting the supply chain and pursuing offenders who think they are above the law.
“Jordan Parker was brazen in breaking the law.
“Not only was he aware he was under investigation for drug supply in May, but he was caught two months later with illegal substances in his car after driving it dangerously and crashing into a wall.
“Thankfully, members of the public saw what happened and kept him at the scene while he tried to run off, and we are grateful for those efforts.
“It’s clear from their reaction that our communities are sick and tired of shameless criminals like Parker thinking they can do what they what they want without repercussions.
“When our final warrants were executed and further weapons and drugs recovered, we were able to present a thorough file to our partners in the criminal justice system, who enabled us to charge Parker with a range of offences and the efforts of all involved have helped put him behind bars.
“As part of Project Adder, we will continue our work in tackling drug supply, and sharing intelligence with our partners in the local authority, so that those most in need of services can be identified and offered support, and those making lives a misery can be prosecuted.”
Read next:
County Durham dealer jailed for drugs offences after cocaine recovery
Judge told Fencehouses drug dealer he's, 'not young and daft any more'
Spennymoor cocaine dealer is serving a 54-month sentence imposed earlier this year
Get more from The Northern Echo and read more stories like this by subscribing to a digital subscription from only £1.25 a week here. Click here
Anyone who sees anything suspicious in their community is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the force website.
But, in an emergency, or if a crime is taking place, callers are always advised to ring 999.
More information about crime in local districts within the force area is available via Northumbria Connected, also on the force's website.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel