drug dealer found with a samurai sword in Chatham has been jailed.
Zaqiel Gardnar of Highbrook Road, London, was sentenced to two years and four months in jail after admitting drug and driving offences.
The 19-year-old was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court on 3 September 2020 after being charged with one count of possession with intent to supply heroin, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and possession of cannabis.
He was also charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, driving without insurance and possessing criminal property.
Gardnar was charged after officers on routine patrol saw him inside a car in Central Park Gardens in Chatham on 21 April 2020.
He was sitting in the car with another person at around 11.40am and due to Covid-19 regulations regarding social distancing officers approached the vehicle to talk to the pair, however when they approached there was a clear smell of cannabis coming from inside the car.
The officers requested Gardnar to exit the vehicle and as he did so a package, containing around 20 wraps of drugs, fell out of his trouser leg.
Officers commenced a search of the vehicle under the Misuse of Drugs Act and underneath the passenger seat they found a samurai sword. Cash and mobile phones were also found.
Having been arrested Gadnar was further searched while in custody and was found concealing more drugs.
Analysis of the drug wraps confirmed them to be heroin and crack cocaine and further investigation also showed bulk text messages sent from the seized mobile phones which alluded to drug deals. He was charged with the offences on the same day.
As well as being sentenced the judge also ordered for the drugs and sword to be destroyed.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Mark Donovan said: ‘Gardnar was in possession of class A drugs with the sole purpose of selling drugs in Medway, targeting vulnerable drug users in order to make a profit.
‘Not only was he in possession of heroin and crack cocaine but he also had a Samurai sword which could have inflicted disastrous injuries if it had been used. I’m pleased that he has been taken off the streets along with the drugs and weapon.’
