29 Jun, 2017 11:52 News

Operation Viking’s crackdown on cross border drug dealers has seen another four people put before the courts taking the tally of jail terms to more than 40 years.

The operation, which started in autumn last year, has been tackling drug dealers coming into the county to commit crime with a dedicated team of officers carrying out proactive patrols with great effect.

The latest set to be sentenced all travelled into the county from across London and were stopped in Epsom on three separate occasions.

One woman was jailed for two years and six months for acting as a driver to bring drugs into the county, while two others who were stopped initially for driving matters but were found to have Class A drugs in their cars and are now both in jail.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Preston said: “What this shows is that even if you’re just the driver for a drug dealer you will face the prospect of time in prison if you’re going to come to Surrey to commit crime.

“If you’re involved in drug dealing at any level Op Viking will come after you and make sure you don’t pose any risk to our communities.

“Operation Viking has proved a great success and we will carry on our pursuit to disrupt networks of drug dealers.

“If you see any suspicious activity in your areas that you suspect to be drug dealing, or have any information about people you believe to be involved, do not hesitate to let us know by calling 101 or report it online at report.police.uk, or call 999 if it is a crime in progress.”

On April 14 officers stopped Kimberley Young, left, of Coronation Court, Surbiton, and Malachi Ritchie, of Gonville Road, Thornton Heath in Rushett Lane, Epsom as they were concerned by the speed it was travelling. Ritchie, 19 and Young both pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin and Young additionally guilty to possession of cannabis. 

They were sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Friday with Young receiving two years and six months, and Ritchie having his sentence deferred for six months.

The car, being driven by Young, aged 25, was searched as suspicions were raised by Ritchie visibly shaking and acting nervously. Officers found a number of wraps of drugs, including some hidden inside a fake deodorant can. 

Rakhib Mahamoud, 18, of Strone Road, Forest Gate, London, was stopped in Hook Road, Epsom on April 21 as his car wasn’t displaying any L plates despite the fact he was a provisional licence holder.He pleaded guilty to two charges of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply and for driving without a licence and no insurance. 

He was sentenced to two years and six months at Guildford Crown Court on Friday.

A number of cling film wraps were found around the car as well as a quantity of cash and a mobile phone which after examination had a number of messages relating to drug dealing. 

On Monday at Guildford Crown Court, Anton Prendergast, 23, of Primrose Close, Lewisham, London was jailed for three years having pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, as well as driving without a licence or insurance.Officers searched the car as it had a strong smell of cannabis as they approached. Inside they found he had a large quantity of cash on him as well as a handwritten list with names and phone numbers on it as well as a lock knife under the driver’s seat.

He also had in his underwear a wrap of drugs which contained 45 individual wraps of cocaine and heroin.

On April 28, he was stopped on the A23 in London Road, Merstham as he had a faulty brake light and was driving slowly. He had also initially failed to stop.