A DRUG dealer has been jailed for eight months for exploiting a vulnerable elderly man and using his home to conduct illegal activity.
William Whitehead, 24, appeared before Salisbury Crown Court on last Friday (January 15) where he was sentenced to eight months imprisonment with a further four months running concurrently for possession with intent to supply class B drugs and possession of Class A drugs.
The court had heard how on the afternoon of December 4 2019, officers attended an address in Catherine Street, Salisbury with colleagues from Social Services, following reports of cuckooing and drug use at the home of a vulnerable elderly man.
The elderly occupant allowed officers into his home where they found Whitehead in one of the rooms behind a locked door, which he was persuaded to open.
Outside the window of the room, officers found a rucksack containing cash in £10 and £20 notes, a sports sock containing a white powder and a clear plastic bag also containing white powder, a bag containing an unknown substance and another sock containing rolls of bank notes.
Whitehead was arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply, money laundering and possession of cannabis.
The cash was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Following forensic analysis, the seized drugs were found to be ketamine to the total estimated street value of £2,760 and cocaine valued at between £160 - £200.
PC Crombellack said: “We welcome a custodial sentence, as this represents a serious crime with real victims in our communities. Wiltshire Police is committed to tackling drug dealing, cuckooing and dangerous drug networks wherever or however they attempt to operate.
“I hope this sends a clear message to anyone engaging in cuckooing and drug dealing that we are actively looking for you, we will find you, and we will put you before a court.”
If you suspect cuckooing or drug dealing in your area please report it by calling us on 101 or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
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