Footage Released after Man Sentenced for Supplying Drugs

A 20-year-old man has been sentenced after plain clothes officers intercepted a drugs deal in Middlesbrough.

The incident happened on Thursday 10^th August on Park Road North when plain clothed officers deployed the police drone as part of an operation to intercept a drugs deal.

20-year-old Leon Mount from Norton was removed from a stationary Honda scooter which is seen on drone footage being approached by a group of people. Two officers approach the scooter and Mount, making a concerted effort to escape, drops packages of drugs before being detained.

Leon Mount was found in possession of multiple grip seal bags of suspected crack cocaine. Further containers were found containing cash, a mobile phone and cannabis worth an estimated £3,470.

Mount pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Monday 11^th September. He received a 20-month sentence suspended for 18 months, 200 hours unpaid work and a rehabilitation programme.

Sergeant John Sproson from Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Team said: “Leon Mount was caught on camera trying to deal drugs in Middlesbrough and class A and B drugs were seized. We are working proactively to remove drug dealers and put those responsible before the courts to make the streets a safer place to be for the communities of Middlesbrough.”

Anyone with information regarding drugs activity in their local community is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.