Three-year sentence for drug dealer who was stopped in Newmarket

A man who was found in possession of cocaine when he was stopped while driving in Newmarket has been given a three-year prison sentence.  

Gleris Dega, 24, of no-fixed-abode but from the Ipswich area, was sentenced to a total of three years in prison at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday 15 April, after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (cocaine) and possession of an identity document with intent to deceive.

Dega was stopped while driving a vehicle in Newmarket on 10 March, where he presented officers with a UK driving licence which displayed a completely fictitious identity. The driving licence had Dega’s photograph but a name and date of birth that differed to his true identity. He was subject to a search under S23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act and was found to be hiding cocaine in his underwear, which resulted in his arrest. 

Following his arrest, extensive evidence was secured which related to the supply of drugs within the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire area. A photograph of his passport, which revealed his correct identity, was also located, along with a script with the details of his new identity for when he was stopped or encountered by the authorities.

Sergeant George Laflin of the Sentinel West Team said: “The team were tenacious in ensuring that no stone was left unturned with this job, resulting in Dega’s identity being uncovered at an early stage, despite his best efforts to conceal it.

“With overwhelming evidence secured, the case was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service, who authorised charges and Dega was subsequently remanded into custody.

“Ultimately, he was left with no other option than to plead guilty to the offences at the earliest opportunity. Our job is to make Suffolk a hostile place for those that come here to commit crime and we will continue to ensure that those who choose to do so, will be dealt with robustly”. 

In addition to his prison sentence, the vehicle that he was driving at the time of the incident, was subject to a deprivation order by the courts, while £485 in cash that was seized from Dega will be deployed to a charitable purpose as designated by the court.

The stop and subsequent investigation was led by the Sentinel West Team. The three Sentinel teams across the South, West and Eastern areas of the county provide enhanced coverage of Suffolk’s road network to proactively disrupt serious and organised criminal activity as well as increase police visibility. The mobile unit disrupts criminals and protects communities across Suffolk’s road network using a variety of techniques to deal with offenders involved.

If you suspect drug activity report this via the website www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/report-crime, call 101, or alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers to report anonymously – either online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.