Drug dealer jailed after being caught with cocaine while on licence for previous offences

A 45-year-old drug dealer has been jailed after officers on patrol in Stroud discovered a quantity of cocaine in his car.

Nicholas Geenty, aged 45 and of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court to five years in prison.

He had previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of cannabis. 

The court heard how officers from the Cotswolds and Stroud Neighbourhood Support Team were patrolling the Paganhill area on 3 December last year, when they spotted Geenty in a car parked on Mathews Way.

Geenty was on licence following a previous conviction for drug offences, however officers had recently received intelligence to suggest that he was still dealing drugs.

As one of the officers approached Geenty's vehicle on foot, he pulled away in his car and drove off at speed.

The officers pursued him in their unmarked car and despite signalling for him to stop and pull over, Geenty continued driving in an attempt to evade them.

A road closure forced Geenty to stop a short time later and he was detained by PS D'Arcy and PC Smith while a search of his vehicle was carried out.

A quantity of white powder in individual zip bags was discovered in various locations inside the vehicle.

Further drugs were found within a rucksack and, following analysis, established to be cocaine with an estimated street value of around £3,000.

A small amount of cannabis, with an estimated street value of £45 was also found, as well as drug paraphernalia including digital scales and a burner phone.

Geenty was arrested and subsequently charged and remanded in custody.

He was sentenced on 25 April to five years in jail and he was ordered to pay costs of £228.

Speaking after the sentencing, PC Kerr from the Neighbourhood Support Team said: "Geenty is rightfully behind bars after showing a blatant disregard for his licence conditions.

"The action taken by our officers reflects their dedication in responding to community intelligence and we will continue in our efforts to disrupt the illegal supply of drugs in order to keep the public safe."

If you suspect drug dealing or have witnessed suspicious activity taking place in your community, you can report it to either Crimestoppers anonymously or to police.

You can report this to police online by using the following form: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/

Alternatively you can give information anonymously to the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

NICHOLAS GEENTY

Officers discovered multiple bags of cocaine in Geenty's vehicle