Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed for drug offences in Reading.
Ruben Bolina, aged 21, of Southcote Road, Reading, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, March 29.
He pleaded guilty to one count each of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A – cocaine, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A – heroin, and possession of a knife in a public place.
At around 7.30pm on Sunday, July 18, last year, officers observed a suspected drug deal involving Bolina at the junction of Baker Street and Russell Street in Reading.
Bolina was seen exiting an alleyway on Russell Street and ran from officers.
He was seen throwing a sheathed 15 inch hunting knife under a parked car prior to being arrested.
Three wraps of crack cocaine and heroin were recovered from his pocket together with two mobile phones and a quantity of cash.
Officers also identified a flat on Russell Street believed to have been taken over, or “cuckooed”, by Bolina where they recovered drug-dealing paraphernalia and further cash.
Bolina was charged on Monday, July 19, last year.
Detective Constable Jon Nicholls, of the Stronghold team based at Reading police station, said: “Thames Valley Police’s Stronghold team will continue to proactively and robustly target and prosecute offenders linked to drug-dealing.
“Our activity will be both visible and covert aimed at disrupting and pursuing offenders involved in the supply of drugs.
“The information from the public around the drug supply offences in Reading plays an important role in developing intelligence into a proactive investigation.
“If you have any information, we would encourage you to report it to us by calling 101 or on our website.
“Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”
You can make an online report at www.ThamesValley.Police.uk.
