Dorchester man jailed after police uncover drugs and £25k in cash at Airbnb
In a rented property in Weymouth police found a large quantity of Class A and B drugs
Last updated 22nd Dec 2025
A man has been jailed after police found a large amount of drugs and cash at a rental property in Weymouth.
Samuel Edward Gillies, 28, from Dorchester, was first arrested after drugs were found in a holdall left in a garden in Inglescombe Street.
On 14th July 2023, a resident discovered the black holdall containing drugs, a large amount of cash, and a letter addressed to Gillies.
While the investigation was continuing forensic analysis of the packaging inside matched Gillies’ fingerprints, and on 26th July 2025 officers attended an an Airbnb-listed property in Williams Street, Weymouth.
Gillies was inside the property and during the search, 19.6kg of cannabis, 1.4kg of ketamine, 1.5kg of cocaine, £25,520 in cash, along with a Taser and gold knuckleduster, were seized.
Gillies was arrested and at court pleaded guilty to several charges, including possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs, money laundering, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of an incapacitation device.
On 15th December 2025, he was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison at Salisbury Crown Court.
Neighbourhood Inspector Sam Goom, of Weymouth police, said: “Illegal drug supply can have a very significant impact on our communities and we are determined to make sure that Dorset is no place for drugs.
“The address in Weymouth was listed on Airbnb and had been rented out at the time Gillies was found there.
"Crime scene investigators carried out detailed searches and images taken from within show the drugs that were being stored and the poor quality in which the address was being kept in.
“We would like to take this opportunity to remind homeowners who let out their properties to ensure that they carry out stringent checks to make sure they know who is staying in their residencies and how they plan on using the property.
“I would continue to urge everyone to report any information or intelligence around suspected drug-related activity so we can continue to make an impact.”