Drug dealer jailed as police teams disrupt illegal supply in Witney
Efforts involved officers from multiple policing units
A 30-year-old man from Witney has been jailed for five years for drug offences and weapons possession following coordinated police efforts to tackle drug dealing in the area.
Thomas Harris, of Bourton Close, was sentenced at court on 16th January after pleading guilty to supplying cocaine and possessing offensive weapons.
Harris was stopped by Roads Policing officers on 19th November last year after his white Volkswagen Scirocco triggered an ANPR camera in Oxford.
The vehicle was followed to a car park on Worcester Street where it was stopped. A search was carried out and officers found a silver tin containing 52 bags of white powder, confirmed later as cocaine, as well as two mobile phones.
Harris was subsequently arrested, and a search of his home uncovered more class A drugs, drug-dealing equipment, a butterfly knife and an extendable baton.
Harris was charged the following day and held in custody.
The operation involved officers from Thames Valley Police’s Oxfordshire Proactive, Neighbourhood, and Response teams, along with the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit.
PC James Carey, investigating officer from the Oxon Proactive team, said: “This is a satisfying conviction off the back of good work from multiple teams working to disrupt illegal drugs supply in Witney.
“The teams have worked hard to bring Thomas Harris, a significant member of the drug trade, to justice so I’m proud of this outcome.
“We will continue our relentless pursuit to fight drug-dealing and put dealers before the courts as they bring misery to our communities, who we’ll always protect.”
Harris pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of an offensive weapon and one count each of being concerned in the supply of and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A, namely cocaine.