Drug Dealer Jailed After Police Probe Home-Invasion

A drug-dealer, who was attacked during a home-invasion at his address, has been jailed for three years after £90,000 of cannabis was discovered by investigating officers.

Andrew Howell, 52, (pictured) was targeted by two men, who suspected he had large amounts of cash, but the doorstep confrontation was reported by a local witness.

When officers arrived at the address in South Terrace, Surbiton, Surrey on November 13, last year they found the injured Howell who told them two men demanded: “Where's the cash?” and struck him.

Police had been flagged-down at 10.20pm by a concerned member of the public, who reported the assault.

However, oficers found large amounts of cannabis in the address, plus more at a rented storage unit.

A total of 8.17 kilos of cannabis resin; 4.05 kilos of skunk cannabis and 1.71 kilos of herbal cannabis were seized.

Howell pleaded guilty to counts of possessing cannabis, with intent to supply, and Detective Constable Alan Mears said: “This is a significant amount of drugs taken off the streets of Kingston involving someone who had not previously come to police notice.

“The case was successful thanks to the diligence of the member of public and the initial reactions of the attending officers.

“The thoroughness of the subsequent investigation conducted by Kingston CID led to the discovery of another location controlled by Howell where a further substantial amount of cannabis had been stored.

“The sentence reflects how the borough will deal robustly with anyone seeking to gain financial reward from drug dealing and supply.”