Drug dealer sentenced after a large quantity of cash was found hidden within the loft of his home

A Gloucester drug dealer has been sentenced to three years in prison after a large quantity of cash was found hidden within the loft of his home.

Santiago Sadiku, aged 34 of and Vauxhall Road in Gloucester, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court last Thursday (10 September) and was sentenced after pleading guilty to the following offences:

• Being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, namely cocaine 
• Being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs, namely cannabis
• Possessing criminal property, namely £27,036.85 in cash

The court heard how Sadiku was arrested and charged following the execution of a drugs warrant in which a quantity of cocaine, cannabis and cash were found at an address.

The warrant was executed in the Barton area of the city by officers from the Gloucester Neighbourhood Support Team, Dogs Unit and Drone Unit on Monday 10 August.

Sadiku's phone was seized during the warrant and a review by a Drugs Expert Witness found WhatsApp messages which proved that he was selling cannabis and cocaine.

In the loft of the address was a yellow JD sports bag which contained £20,000 worth of bank notes and in his bedroom officers found a designer bag which contained a further £4,500 of English bank notes and £20 in Scottish currency as well as a plastic bottle filled with £2,100 worth of coins.

This once again supported the evidence that Sadiku was dealing drugs and he was charged with several offences.

A spokesperson for the Gloucester and Forest Local Policing Area said: "We are glad that Sadiku has been taken off the streets and is no longer able to impact our local communities by dealing drugs.

"This case is just another example of how tirelessly we are working to disrupt those who think they can deal drugs in Gloucestershire."

Anyone who has concerns or intelligence about drug dealing can report this to police via the following link: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/ 

Alternatively you can report information anonymously through the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting their website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously 

Santiago Sadiku custody image

Cash found at Sadiku's address

Drugs found at Sadiku's address

Drugs found at Sadiku's address

Drugs found at Sadiku's address