A 21-year-old man from the West Midlands has been sentenced to 35 months in prison after admitting to dealing Class A drugs from a ‘cuckooed’ home in Northampton. Mohammed Risaan, of Lozells Road, Birmingham, was arrested following a police raid on a residence in Clarendon House, Bridge Street, on August 17, 2023.
The Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team acted on suspicions that the address was being used to facilitate drug sales. Upon their arrival and forced entry into the property, Risaan was caught attempting to dispose of 27 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin in the toilet.
Alongside the drugs, police also recovered a mobile phone with over 100 marketing texts sent from a drug line earlier that day and seized £385 in cash. Risaan faced charges of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and acquiring criminal property.
After initially being heard at Northampton Magistrates’ Court, Risaan’s case was escalated to the crown court, where he entered a guilty plea to all charges on March 4. His sentencing took place on July 11 at Northampton Crown Court, culminating in a prison term and a mandate to pay a £228 victim surcharge. The court further granted an order to destroy the drugs and redirect the seized cash to the Northamptonshire Community Fund to support local charities.
Sergeant Aaron Dilley of the Northamptonshire Police highlighted the case’s significance, stating, “Everyone should be able to feel safe in their own home, but Mohammed Risaan took this away from the person whose home he cuckooed.” He emphasized the police’s commitment to tackling drug-related harm and protecting vulnerable individuals from being exploited in such manners.
The police encourage anyone with information about drug dealing or concerns about vulnerable individuals being targeted for cuckooing to report it. This case serves as a reminder of the continuous efforts by law enforcement to combat drug offences and uphold community safety.
