An drug dealer was found in possession of a loaded gun after trying and failing to hide it from the police.
Hamid Ramzan, aged 26, was already under police investigation when he was spotted driving through Sutton-in-Ashfield in the early hours of 2 October 2023.
After speeding away from officers along Carsic Road, his Ford Fiesta crashed into a lamppost, and Ramzan was arrested. As well as the cannabis, cash, weighing scales, and two burner-style phones found in his possession, Ramzan was also trying to conceal a converted pistol in the car’s gearstick housing.
His efforts, however, were thwarted by an inquisitive police officer who noticed that the fabric and plastic collar were not sitting properly in place. Cash and Class A drugs were also uncovered from inside the housing.
This was the third time he had been caught with drugs and weapons in his car. In September 2021, he was pulled over in Valley Road, Nottingham, and found to have an imitation firearm in his boot and a knife in his pocket.
More recently, in August 2023, he was found with a large knife hidden under the driver’s seat of his car when it was pulled over in Station Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield.
A detailed investigation of his mobile devices revealed significant evidence of large-scale drug dealing to multiple customers.
Ramzan, of Hicot Drive, Aspley, later pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm, possessing ammunition without a certificate, and possession of a knife. He also pleaded guilty to possessing heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, and cannabis with intent to supply – as well as an additional knife possession charge.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday, 13 March, he was jailed for 12 years.
Detective Sergeant Rachel Mayfield, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“Ramzan was already under police investigation when we found him in possession of a deadly firearm.
“He’d had two previous chances to abandon his criminality but carried on dealing drugs and carrying weapons – even when he was on police bail for previous offences.
“This very significant jail sentence is the inevitable conclusion of this kind of lifestyle, because if you choose to carry lethal firearms on the streets of Nottinghamshire, you will end up in prison – no matter how well you think you’ve hidden them.”
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