Gosport ferry terminal drug dealer carried cocaine in bum bag

Antonio Panayi, 31, turned back on himself as he spotted police searching passengers at Gosport ferry terminal.

He was eventually arrested after trying to get rid of his bum bag which contained cocaine, cannabis and around £4,000 in cash.

Drug dealer Antonio Panayi has been jailed after he was caught with drugs at Gosport ferry terminal (Image: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary)

On the day he was caught, October 25 last year, police were carrying out a knife arch operation - similar to an airport's metal detector - to identify people carrying weapons.

Panayi got off the ferry and began walking up the pontoon at around 8.30pm.

But upon seeing police, he turned around and began walking back down towards the ferry.

When stopped by officers he resisted and tried to run off before discarding the bum bag.

The bag was searched and grip seal bags containing powder and cannabis were found along with around £4,000 in cash.

Two mobile phones were also seized.

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Panayi, of Eddington Road in St Helens, Isle of Wight was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply, and possession of criminal property.

When tests revealed the white powder in his bum bag was cocaine, Panayi pleaded guilty to possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, and one count of possession of criminal property and possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply.

He was jailed for three years and four months at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday, February 2.

Gosport ferry terminal (Image: Google Maps)

Detective Sergeant Heather Hudson said: “Drug dealing is a scourge on the community, and the work of police teams collectively throughout the Fareham and Gosport districts is having a positive effect on robustly disrupting supply lines.

“The efforts of officers on the day in stopping, searching and arresting Panayi are just a small snapshot of what can be done to remove drugs from the streets and identify individuals involved in the drugs trade.

“We encourage people to please keep submitting information to us about drugs supply in your neighbourhood.

“You may not always see an immediate police deployment, but rest assured that every piece of information you provide helps us develop the bigger picture and relentlessly pursue the people involved.”