Jail for drug dealer in Stockton found with kinder egg filled with drugs

Raymond Pearce, of no fixed address, was stopped by officers on Myrtle Road in the town on the morning of Sunday 18 February 2024.

The 42-year-old was then searched and found to be in possession of approximately £150 in cash and a heavily ringing mobile phone.

When he was transported to the local police station, a strip search resulted in a kinder egg being located between his bottom. Inside were 25 wraps of crack cocaine with a street value of approximately £500.

He was then arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and interviewed.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised for Pearce to be charged and he was remanded in custody.

On Tuesday 27 August Pearce appeared at Teesside Crown Court after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

PC Lee Swainston, from Stockton’s neighbourhood policing team, said: “We’re relentless in acting on intelligence from members of the public who report individuals suspected of supplying drugs in Stockton.

“This information leads to officers stopping people like Pearce and conducting searches that recover drugs that are due to be supplied to vulnerable people as well as the money that the dealers higher up the chain make from it.

“I want to take this opportunity to encourage people within our community to keep being our eyes and ears by recognising the signs of drug activity and reporting it so we can continue to see results like this.”

If you believe drug activity is taking place in your neighbourhood, please call Cleveland Police on 101 or if reticent to come forward, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.