A man has been jailed after being caught in possession of cocaine in Bournemouth.
David Crofts, 35, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 37 months in prison at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday, 3 March. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class A drug, handling stolen goods, and shoplifting.
At around 9:25 pm on Saturday, 24 November, Crofts entered the One Stop store on Southbourne Grove with another man and stole multiple crates of beer. Just two minutes later, they returned and repeated the theft, which was captured on CCTV.
On Saturday, 7 December, officers from Bournemouth Neighbourhood Policing Team stopped a vehicle on Southcote Road. Crofts, who was a passenger, was detained and searched under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
He was found in possession of several wraps of cocaine, weighing scales, cash, and a mobile phone containing evidence of drug dealing. He was arrested on suspicion of drug offences.
A further search of the vehicle uncovered several bottles of alcohol with security tags still attached. As a result, Crofts was also arrested for handling stolen goods. Following further enquiries, he was charged with these offences, including shoplifting.
Police Sergeant Ashley White of Bournemouth Police said: “We recognise the impact Crofts’ crimes have had on local businesses, as well as his involvement in the supply of illegal drugs. Our investigation ensured he was brought before the courts to face justice.
“We remain committed to identifying and disrupting those involved in drug supply on the streets of Dorset.”
