Drug Dealer Locked Up After Trying to Flood Portsmouth Streets with Crack and Heroin
A London man has been slammed with a hefty jail term for flooding Portsmouth with crack cocaine and heroin. Thomas Okumu, from Uxbridge, was locked up for three years and nine months after being found guilty of dealing drugs and possessing criminal property.
‘Cuckooing’ Spotlights Vulnerable Victims
Okumu was nabbed by Drugs Related Harm officers at a vulnerable person’s home in Stubbington Avenue on 1 October 2018. The vile tactic, known as ‘cuckooing’, involves dealers exploiting vulnerable people to use their homes as drug dens.
£4,560 Worth of Drugs Seized
Police recovered drugs worth £4,560 during the arrest. Detective Chief Inspector Nick Heelan praised the operation, saying: “Our Drugs Related Harm team and other officers work hard to safeguard vulnerable people in our city and to make it a hostile place for county lines drug dealers.”
He added: “This is another good result for Portsmouth; drugs have been taken off our streets, a drug dealer is behind bars and a vulnerable person has been safeguarded. I hope this reassures our local community that this remains a priority for us and that we are continuing to disrupt drug dealing in Portsmouth.”
Spot the Signs of Drug Dealing in Your Area
- Sudden spike in visitors to a house or flat, often staying only briefly
- Quick exchanges between small groups near a property
- Residents leaving and returning multiple times throughout the day
- Groups loitering and frequently using mobile phones
- New or hire cars parked outside, driven by unfamiliar people
If you spot suspicious activity, don’t hesitate to act. Call police on 101, or dial 999 if a crime is happening right now. You can also report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
