[A] man has been sent to prison for drugs offences.
Brian Fitzharris, 47, of no fixed address, Accrington, Lancashire, was sentenced yesterday (31st October 2017) at Preston Crown Court.
He pleaded guilty on the opening day of the trial to offences relating to the supply of Class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine). Fitzharris was sentenced to five years and two months imprisonment.
The sentence follows a lengthy and complex investigation by the Southern Area Drug Squad in Cumbria.
The investigation began when a search took place at a property on Windrush Crescent in Barrow. The police believe that Fitzharris used this address as a base for his drug dealing activities.
When officers attended the property in May of this year, Fitzharris was found attempting to remove and conceal bundles of money, totalling £630, from the sofa.
Cannabis was also found at the address, as well as a quantity of white tablets, and a clear plastic bag containing brown and white rocks. In addition, in the bin, there were freezer bags commonly used in drug supply and further evidence of the criminal activity taking place.
Fitzharris was swiftly arrested at the address.
Subsequent enquiries by officers showed the true extent of the criminal enterprise which ultimately led to the significant sentenced being imposed by the courts.
The drugs found in the property were confirmed to be individual street deals, totalling 11 deals of crack cocaine and 21 of heroin.
A Cumbria Police spokesperson said: “Today’s sentencing is sending a clear message to those who look to supply Class A drugs within our local communities. We are certainly not a soft touch and our dedicated team will continue to work to ensure that drug dealers are behind bars and not on our streets.”
