A man has been jailed after being found in possession of both cocaine and cannabis.

Umar Baig, 26, from Luton, appeared at St Albans Crown Court for sentencing on Monday, October 19, after pleading guilty to:

  • Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (cocaine)
  • Possession with intent to supply Class B drugs (cannabis)
  • Possession of criminal property
  • Breach of suspended sentence.

The court heart how Baig’s vehicle was stopped in Hatfield Road, St Albans on Wednesday, September 9 - and that officers noticed the vehicle smelt strongly of cannabis.

The occupants and vehicle were searched under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

A large quantity of both Class A (cocaine) and Class B (cannabis) drugs were found in the vehicle. Baig was arrested at the scene.

Officers then attended his home address in St Albans to conduct a search, where further drugs were found, as well as nun chucks, several mobile phones and almost £7,000 cash.

Baig was jailed for three years and six months.

Detective Constable Geoff Webb, who investigated the case, said: “I am pleased that another drug offender has been taken off our streets. Drugs can have a hugely negative impact on our communities, and have particularly devastating consequences for vulnerable members of our society.

“We are dedicated to disrupting this type of criminality in Hertfordshire, and I hope that the custodial sentence Baig has received serves as a warning to others who choose to involve themselves in this sort of criminal activity: it will not be tolerated.

“We are always working to gain intelligence on criminality involving drugs, and I would urge any members of the public who suspect there is drug activity in their local area to please report it to us.”