Police had Leicester cannabis dealer's home under surveillance  

A cannabis dealer caught after a police surveillance operation has been jailed for 20 months.

Michael Beeching (29) had almost £17,000 in cash seized by police, Leicester Crown Court heard.

Undercover officers watched his home in Greystoke Close, Stocking Farm, in the city, and saw 14 people briefly visit the address, the quickest attending for just 23 seconds and the others for no longer than 10 minutes, on March 15, 2012.

James Bide-Thomas, prosecuting, said the next day officers apprehended a visitor, who was carrying three wraps of cannabis he had just bought.

A warrant to search the house was then executed and although Beeching was found have only a small amount of the cannabis in his car, his mobile phone contained messages indicating he was dealing.

Officers also seized his Seat Leon, under the Proceeds of Crime Act, along with £16,400 found in a safe at Beeching's grandmother's home in Mountsorrel.

Beeching admitted possessing and supplying cannabis and two counts of possessing criminal property (the cash).

Beeching's partner, Ria Strong (28), and her brother, Nathan Strong (23), who were also at the address when the warrant was executed, had small amounts of cannabis on them, worth about £10, which they admitted possessing.

Ria Strong, also of Greystoke Close, was given a 12-month conditional discharge, with a £60 fine.

Nathan Strong, of Thomas Court, Archdale Street, Syston, received an 18-month conditional discharge, with a £60 fine.

Beeching now faces a proceeds of crime court hearing, when the money and car are likely to be confiscated by the court.

Michael Garvey, mitigating, said Beeching sold to those who approached him and was not pushing drugs to strangers.

Mr Garvey said Beeching was looking after the £16,400 for someone and although "suspicious" about where it came from, did not ask questions.

"The local beat officer became suspicious and was behind the push for this investigation," said Mr Garvey.

Judge Ebraham Mooncey told Beeching: "People who have organised a business to supply to others must face a custodial sentence."

Afterwards, Pc Simon Walters, from the Abbey Ward safer neighbourhood team, said: "Today's sentencing brings to an end a three- year investigation.

"Beeching was running quite a large and established cannabis dealing operation.

"Although the amount of cannabis seized wasn't huge, we recovered more than £16,000 in cash and seized his car as it was purchased using money from his drug supply business.

"Drug dealing on our city's streets won't be tolerated. It blights neighbourhoods and affects whole communities.

"Leicestershire Police will work tirelessly to catch those responsible in bringing and distributing drugs on to the streets."

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk 24/03/2014