Derby drug dealers jailed for 8 years

A pair of Derby drug dealers have been jailed for a combined total of more than eight years.

When officers went to search the property of 22-year-old Benjamin Edwards they found almost half a kilogram of cocaine stashed in his bedroom.

Edwards, of Cheal Close, Shardlow and his co-defendant Zehn Iqbal, of Goodale Street, Normanton were stopped by officers in a vehicle in Temple Street, Rose Hill on 26 April after 21-year-old Iqbal had been spotted selling drugs nearby.

A search of the vehicle revealed over 45 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine stowed in the passenger door pocket, hundreds of pounds cash, and several mobile phones.

In later searches at their addresses officers found the huge quantity of cocaine, and drugs paraphernalia, including scales containing further traces of the drug.

The pair appeared at Derby Crown Court for sentencing on 21 November.

Iqbal was handed a jail term of three years and eight months after he admitted possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, heroin and acquiring criminal property, soon after this initial court hearing.

Edwards initially pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply heroin, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine, acquiring criminal property and possession of cannabis. He then changed his plea at a court hearing on 24 October, admitting all offences.

He was jailed for four years and five months.

PC Steven Sanderson, officer in the case said:

“This is a great result, which followed proactive police work to foil the trade in class A drugs that Edwards and Iqbal were peddling in Derby.

“There are many associated problems brought into communities by drug dealers, which extend far beyond the end user.

“These include violence, exploitation, and the devastating affects of drug use and addiction.

“With every sentence like this that disrupts the supply of drugs into Derbyshire, we know that our county’s streets are that little bit safer.”