A county line drug dealer found hiding £22,000 in his loft has been jailed.

Hameed Baig, 25, of Bessemer Place in Greenwich was jailed for four years and three months after police disrupted a county line operating in Southampton.

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court, Baig was sentenced after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and crack cocaine, as well as possession of criminal property and possession of a zombie knife.

The court heard how in September 2022, a police investigation into a county line operating in the city identified the person leading the line as living in Netley.

A warrant was carried out at a property on Station Road in December 2022 where several phones and cannabis was found, along with £4,809 in cash was found in two bedrooms and £22,000 in the loft.

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The police raid at the property also led officers to search a Ford Focus nearby in which it was found a large quantity of crack cocaine, heroin and cocaine, drugs paraphernalia and a pistol.

Three men, including Baig, were arrested and an examination of the phones seized showed they had been used to advertise the ‘Medz’ drug line, supplying Class A and Class B drugs in Southampton.

The investigation which included support from the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Orochi team which specializes in investigations into county lines linked to London saw Baig being charged with several offences.

A second person, Pasha Patel, 21, of September Close in Eastleigh appeared in court on Saturday where he was handed a 20-month sentence in connection with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and converting criminal property, suspended for two years.

Detective Constable James Pieri, of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Western Proactive Investigations Department, said: “Baig and Patel were involved in the supply of some of the most harmful drugs we deal with. The harm caused by drug supply cannot be understated and it often brings associated criminality, including violence and knife crime.

“I am pleased that we have taken another Southampton drugs line out of the city’s streets and welcome the sentences issued to Baig and Patel.

“The judge noted in sentencing Patel that it was rare that those involved in Class A drugs supply do not go to prison, and his was one of very few cases. Instead, he will be required to adhere to strict conditions, as well as carrying out unpaid work within the community.

“Drug supply causes harm and misery to our communities and we will continue disrupting it and making sure that Southampton is a hostile environment for drug dealers to operate in.

“We encourage anyone who suspects drug-related activity to be taking place in their neighbourhood to report it to us. Every piece of information helps us to build a stronger intelligence picture and allows us to take action.”

You can make a report by calling 101 or by visiting the police website.

Alternatively, you can report to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.