A READING man has been jailed for two years for drug supply offences.
Erlon Billa, aged 20 and of Portman Way, pleaded guilty to a count each of possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis, acquiring criminal property and driving a motor vehicle without insurance at a hearing at Reading Crown Court on Friday, June 14.
He was subsequently handed a two-year jail sentence as well as six penalty points on his driving license and was made to forfeit a quantity of drugs, mobile phones, and cash to the value of £305.
It follows an incident which took place at the Shell garage on Basingstoke Road, Reading, at around 12.30am on Sunday, January 21.
Billa was at the petrol pumps in a silver BMW when Thames Valley Police officers entered the forecourt.
He provided officers with false details after being detained and then attempted to flee, but tripped and was once again detained.
Officers searched the BMW and uncovered a quantity of cannabis bags in an open rucksack and 43 small bags of suspected class A drugs.
Officers found further quantities of cannabis in a black bin liner under the driver’s seat, while Billa was also found to have been in possession of £235 in cash and an iPhone.
He was arrested and charged the following day.
Detective Sergeant Jon Nicholls, based at Reading police station, said: “We will never tolerate drug dealing in our communities and we will continue to proactively target and prosecute offenders.
“This 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 drug supply in Reading plays a vital part in developing intelligence into a proactive investigation.
“We would urge anybody with information to report it to us via our website or by calling 101.”
