Man jailed for drug offences following tip-off

A man has been jailed for drug offences after a tip-off revealed he had been keeping illegal substances at an address in Stoke-on-Trent.

David Ansell, aged 36, of no fixed address, was jailed for two years and three months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday (26 January) after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs, cocaine; and two counts of possession with intent to supply class B drugs, cannabis and amphetamine.

Officers received an anonymous report from Crimestoppers saying that Ansell was storing the drugs at a property in Tunstall.

He was arrested on 11 January 2023 after officers turned up at the property.

Ansell opened the door, and officers immediately smelt cannabis, with a large amount then discovered in a cupboard in the living room. Cannabis worth in the region of £25,000 was seized, with further drugs found in a suitcase and in the freezer.

Cocaine worth around £1,500 was discovered, along with amphetamines worth up to £6,500.

Drug paraphernalia and a mobile phone were also seized.

PC Holly Swift, who was the officer in the case, said: “I would like to thank the individual who gave Crimestoppers the anonymous tip-off in relation to this case.

“We rely on the community to give us these vital pieces of information and intelligence, and they often prove to be key in getting offenders off the streets.

“Ansell was clearly involved in the supply of drugs and I’m pleased he admitted his offending in court.

“I’m glad he has been handed a custodial sentence for his offending and we will continue to do all we can to disrupt the supply of illegal substances in Staffordshire.”

To report suspicious activity in your area, call us on 101 or use Livechat on our website.

To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.