Southampton Drug Dealer Behind Bars

A Southampton drug dealer has been jailed for three years after he was caught by police with nearly £1,500 pounds worth of drugs.

David Caines admitted possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply following his arrest on Golden Grove in Southampton on September 26, 2012, as part of an Operation Fortress day of police action.

He was detained and searched by officers who discovered wraps of heroin and cocaine he had tried to conceal in the waistband of his underpants.

A search of his nearby home on Golden Grove uncovered 10 mobile phones, five SIM cards and £485 in cash.

In court he stated he was dealing to fund his own habit.

The 48-year-old was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court to three years in prison having pleaded guilty at a previous hearing.

PC Samantha Beddoe from the Operation Fortress team said:  "Caines was arrested as part of an Operation Fortress day of action around Southampton to target on-street drug dealers and drug runners.

"The Operation Fortress team will continue to target people like Caines and the networks he’s involved with to make Southampton a hostile place for drug dealers and those who bring drug-related violence into the city." 

If you're concerned about drug dealing or drug-related violence where you live, call the police on 101 or email operation.fortress@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

If a crime is in progress, always call 999.

If you're living in fear or debt because of drugs, you can speak to the Operation Fortress team in confidence by email operation.fortress@hampshire.pnn.police.uk or on 101.

If you're worried about your own drug use, The Bridge open access drug centre can be contacted on 02380 881400.

The Parent Support Link on 02380 39 9764 offers support and advice to people affected by someone else's drug use.