Man jailed after cannabis worth thousands recovered

The discovery of 1.4kg of cannabis, with a street value of around £16,000, has led to one man being jailed after his fingerprints were found on the bags containing the drug.

Mason Cooper was sentenced to three years and four months at Leicester Crown Court on Friday (3 February) after officers executed a warrant and found the substantial stash.

Following the discovery in February 2022 at an address in Rannoch Close, Leicester, forensic examination was carried out on the drugs and a DNA match for Cooper came back.

Prior to this the 22-year-old of Cross Hedge Close, Leicester, had been found in possession of the class B drugs on two other occasions.

The first incident took place in April 2021, when a car was stopped by officers in Halifax Drive, Leicester. Cooper was a passenger in the vehicle and when it was searched a rucksack was found containing cannabis, along with a mobile phone with evidence linking him to drug supply.

In September 2021 a stolen car Cooper was driving failed to stop for officers. Following a police pursuit, the car was stopped in Elmdale Street, Leicester, and the two occupants attempted to run from the scene before being detained by officers nearby.

When the car, which has been stolen from Oadby a few days before, was searched, a rucksack containing cannabis and a number of mobile phones was found – linking the two men in the car to the supply of drugs.

Cooper was charged and at an earlier hearing at Leicester Crown Court he pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class B drugs between 22 April 2021 and 4 February 2022, handling stolen goods and dangerous driving.

PC Joe Turner, investigating officer, said: “On both occasions when Cooper was arrested from a vehicle there was a rucksack containing drugs and mobile phone – clearly indicating he was involved in the supply of cannabis in Leicester.

“The sheer scale of his involvement became apparent when a warrant was executed and the large quantity of class B drugs was found. His fingerprints were found on the bags inside the address and Cooper was subsequent arrested.

“Leicestershire Police is committed to tackling drug misuse and will continue to crackdown on those who are selling and disturbing any illegal drugs across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.”