A 17-year-old boy from Roehampton appeared at the Inner London Crown Court on 27 April and was sentenced to three years’ detention in a young offenders institution for possession of crack with intent to supply and possession of heroin with intent to supply.

He pleaded guilty to both counts on 12 April. The three-year sentence for the heroin conviction will run concurrently.

On 30 January 2007, police officers in an unmarked car were on a burglary patrol in Roehampton. They scanned the streets of the Lennox Estate and spotted the youth loitering around the stairway of a building.

The crime squad officers sensed something was amiss so they stopped him and conducted a search for drugs. They found approximately 27 wraps of a white powder and arrested him for possession with intent to supply. The drugs were sent to the forensic labs for examination and the results came back as heroin and crack.He was charged with possession with intent to supply crack and heroin on 31 January 2007.

Detective Constable Jim Borrett, the investigating officer, said:“The officers spotted him from a distance and could tell he was up to no good. By acting on instinct we detained him without incident and arrested him with all the evidence still in his pockets.

“I hope this result shows the dealers and the public we are dedicated to tackling drug dealing on the estates.  If you know drug dealers are living or dealing in your estate or street then don’t suffer in silence. Let the police know and we will take action.”