More on KentOnline
A Medway drug-dealer who hid crack cocaine in woods has been jailed after admitting supplying class A drugs.
Ogu Oguguo, 40, from Chatham, was sentenced alongside Charles Orieh, 37, from Bristol after the pair pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of criminal property.
Oguguo, 40, of Meadow Close, and Orieh, of Staplehill Road, Fishponds, were both handed four years and five months in prison at Bristol Crown Court.
Officers targeted Orieh after receiving reports he was supplying large amounts of Class A drugs in the city.
During an operation by Zephyr, the area’s regional organised crime unit, officers on surveillance noticed Orieh was visiting rural locations and parks for short periods of time.
They suspected he was burying his drugs and visiting the stash points whenever he needed to re-supply.
In June last year, during a surveillance operation, he was spotted by officers going to another suspected stash site in a park near to where he lived.
It was then officers saw Oguguo walk towards a quiet wooded area and enter the undergrowth with a carrier bag, but exit empty handed.
Both men then travelled to Orieh’s home in Staplehill Road.
Officers searched the undergrowth with trained drugs dogs and uncovered three plastic carrier bags, which contained 853 grams of crack cocaine.
The haul has an estimated street value of £42,000.
When Oguguo left the house, the Zephyr team arrested him and searched Orieh’s home.
Oguguo was found to be in possession of more than £10,000 in cash.
DI Taylor from Zephyr, said: "I am pleased with the sentences these men have received for the serious drug offences they have committed.
"The supply of illegal drugs will not be tolerated in the South West and we will prevent anyone from making money from this activity which causes misery to the lives of others within our communities.
"Working closely with Avon and Somerset Police has led to the dismantling of this organised crime group operating in our towns and cities."