Two drug dealers – one of them a vape shop boss – have been jailed for conspiring to supply class A drugs.
Behrad Mohammadi, 31, and Kyle O’Brien, 22, were the key figures in a supply operation in West Sussex.
Mohammadi was jailed for nine years and nine months and O’Brien was imprisoned for four months at a hearing last week.
Sussex Police said: “Phone evidence showed how they were offering bulk supplies – and officers carried out joint warrants at their addresses as part of Operation Tripod.”
When their homes were raided last October, police found more than 1kg of cocaine and 1kg of cannabis at O’Brien’s address as well as thousands of nitrous oxide cylinders.
Both men were charged with drugs offences and, at Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday 26 March, Mohammadi and O’Brien appeared for sentencing.
Sussex Police said: “The court was told how Mohammadi, of Prior Place, Chichester, was listed as a director for three businesses in the Chichester area including a vape shop and a supercar business but showed large sums of cash flowing through his personal accounts.
“His phone showed bulk offering and supplying of cannabis and cocaine.
“Mohammadi admitted conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of cannabis and was jailed for nine years and nine months.
“O’Brien, of Batchmere Road, Chichester, supported Mohammadi’s operation and was found in possession of cocaine, cannabis and nitrous oxide at his home address in quantities worth tens of thousands of pounds at street value.
“He admitted conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs, possessing class C drugs with intent to supply and possession of ketamine. He was jailed for four years.
“Two other men charged in connection with the investigation face sentence later this year.”
After the case, Detective Superintendent Colin Garman said: “This was a significant group supplying cocaine and cannabis which cause so much harm in our communities in West Sussex.
“Our officers work all year round to disrupt the supply of drugs and to relentlessly target offenders who prey on vulnerable children and adults.
“These convictions as part of Operation Tripod demonstrate our determination to catch organised groups and bring them to justice.”
