A MAN who was convicted of drug dealing after being pulled over for suspected traffic offences in Ludgershall has avoided jail.

Takeio Wareham, 19, from Andover, was sentenced to 16 months in prison, which was suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work when he appeared at Salisbury Crown Court last Friday (May 7) for sentencing.

He previously pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply, offering to supply ketamine, cannabis and MDMA.

Officers were carrying out routine patrols on the A3026 in Ludgershall in February last year when they pulled over a Seat Ibiza due to issues with its licence plate.

Wareham was the driver and officers noticed the strong smell of cannabis coming from both him and the vehicle.

They searched him, the vehicle and his then home address in Winterslow, seizing a quantity of illegal drugs, as well as a mobile phone.

Trainee Detective Constable Myles Scott, who was the arresting community policing officer but now works in CID, said: “This case highlights the importance of our proactive policing patrols, out in our communities.

“Wareham was initially stopped by police due to potential traffic offences, but we ended up seizing a quantity of drugs.

“The supply of illegal drugs causes great harm to our communities and we will continue to work hard to crack down on this type of activity.”

If you have concerns about suspected drug dealing in your community please call us on 101, or 999 if it is an emergency or a crime is in progress.

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