Nine Years For Drug Dealer Caught With £3m In Cocaine And 'E'

A high-end drug-dealer, caught with £3m worth of cocaine and ecstasy in his van, is starting a nine-year prison sentence.

Dean Garland, 46, of Sunnyside Road, Epping, was pulled over by police in London's East End on October 24, last year.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court Garland pleaded guilty to possession, with intent to supply, a total of 29kg of cocaine and 46,000 MDMA tablets.

Detective Inspector Glenn Butler, from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime North Command, said: “Thanks to the hard work of Met officers, a massive quantity of drugs that were heading for our streets have been seized and destroyed. 

“These drugs would have fuelled the violence and stabbings that have taken place across London and the rest of the country.”

At approximately 2.10pm Garland was stopped by officers in Havannah Street, Tower Hamlets.

As officers approached his vehicle, a white Ford Transit, Garland was seen to discard a set of keys in the passenger foot well.

A search of the vehicle resulted in four large blocks of what was suspected to be cocaine found within a black rucksack inside.

He was searched and found to be in possession of £465 cash, a Nokia mobile phone, and a car key, which was later identified as being the key for another the white Ford Transit.

Once Garland was in custody officers conducted a thorough search of the first vehicle. 

They discovered a hide in the rear of the car that had a hydraulic door controlled by a key fob attached to a set of keys which included the key to the van.

Within the hide a significant quantity of suspected drugs and cash were seized. 

These were then tested and found to be 12kg of cocaine; 200g of Cannabis Resin; 45,000 MDMA tablets and £38,000 cash.

Later the same evening officers conducted a search warrant at his home address. 

At this search the other white Ford Transit was located and parked outside the address. 

Another hide was found in the back of this vehicle that contained a further 13 blocks of class A drugs as well as £5,000 cash.

Garland was interviewed and answered “no comment” to all questions.