A drug dealer failed to outrun knife crime officers when they confronted him in a Nottingham shop.
Haseeb Khan was already wanted for a series of drug supply offences when he was spotted walking through Hyson Green.
The knife crime team was in the area on one of its daily patrols when officers recognised the face of the known cannabis dealer.
Khan had twice previously managed to evade police when his car was stopped in Carlton and Radford on 21 July and 19 October 2023, respectively.
He abandoned deals of cannabis and cash he’d been carrying on both occasions before fleeing on foot and hurdling fences to make good his escape.
Khan’s luck ran out the third time around, however, with knife crime team officers spotting him, cornering him inside a shop in Gregory Boulevard, and placing him in handcuffs on 23 December 2023.
He was once again found to be carrying drugs, with numerous deals of cannabis and quantities of cash found inside his rucksack.
These were all seized, while Khan was duly arrested for a series of offences, including supplying cannabis over a lengthy period throughout 2022 and 2023.
The 23-year-old was later charged with supplying Class B drugs, multiple counts of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, and possession of criminal property.
Having pleaded guilty to each of these offences, Khan, of Breck Hill Road, Woodthorpe, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court to be sentenced on Monday (27 January).
He was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
PC Ken Tinley, of Nottinghamshire Police’s knife crime team, said:
“Our targeted patrols allow us to get out into the community daily and spot offences and perpetrators who might otherwise have gone undetected.
“Khan had previously twice abandoned drugs he was carrying while fleeing from the police, so it was very satisfying to be able to catch him on the third occasion and link him to all his offending.
“As the public would expect, we are always on the lookout for crime when we leave the station – prioritising weapon-enabled offending, of course, but keeping an eye out for those involved in drug supply too.
“We follow this approach because we do tend to see that those who sell drugs on the streets are also carriers of weapons such as knives.
“While that wasn’t the case on this occasion, it was still pleasing to be able to disrupt a known drug dealer’s activity and place him before the courts.”
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