Portsmouth Man Locked Up After Undercover Drug Bust
A Portsmouth man has been slammed with a hefty jail sentence following a slick undercover police operation targeting drug dealers in the city.
Drug Dealers Caught in the Act
Back in March, plain-clothed officers spotted suspicious activity they suspected was drug dealing at York Place, Portsmouth. They tailed two men to Centurion House on Cross Street, where they’d been seen earlier. Both men were arrested on the spot and searched.
A linked property was then searched, uncovering a stash of heroin and crack cocaine worth a whopping £7,590 plus £2,239 in cash.
Harsh Sentences for Dealers
Gary Neil Baldacchino, 32, of Bishops Street, Portsmouth, admitted possession with intent to supply heroin and crack, along with possession of criminal property. On 27 July at Portsmouth Crown Court, he was slammed with five years and eight months behind bars.
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, Baldacchino must also cough up £9,829.40 or risk another month inside.
Meanwhile, Rudi Daniells, 23, from Havant, pleaded guilty to possession of crack and heroin. He escaped jail but was handed a 12-month community order and a drug rehab requirement.
Detective Stephen Brown said: “We are committed to disrupting the supply of Class A drugs, such as heroin and crack cocaine, in Portsmouth. These drugs blight lives, families, and communities. The sentence for Baldacchino sends a clear message: if you deal drugs here, expect to be arrested and prosecuted.”
Community Help Needed to Crack Down on Drugs
The police’s Fortress campaign aims to slash drug-related violence by choking off Class A drug supply. Officers urge locals to be alert to signs of drug dealing, such as:
- A sudden spike in visitors to a property with short visits
- Quick handoffs between small groups near a house or flat
- Residents frequently leaving and returning multiple times a day
- Loitering with people constantly on their mobiles
- Unfamiliar or flashy cars parked outside, driven by strangers
If you spot anything suspicious, report it. Call the police on 101 or 999 if a crime is happening. Prefer to stay anonymous? Contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
