TWO people from Andover have been jailed for drugs offences after police carried out a routine traffic stop on a car in Ludgershall.

In February 2020, officers out on patrol noticed a black Land Rover on Johnson Way, which had two people standing nearby who noticed the police car approaching and quickly got into the vehicle to drive away.

One of the Land Rover’s rear number plate lights was not working, so officers stopped the car and spoke to the driver Daniel Baker.

Officers then saw that the vehicle was listed as having no insurance on the Police National Computer, and, due to the strong smell of cannabis coming from the car, carried out a search.

During the search, officers found a large amount of cash and several mobile phones within the vehicle, so Baker was arrested.

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Further enquiries, such as financial and phone downloads, linked Baker’s partner at the time, Kayleigh Chant, to the supply of Class A drugs and, following a lengthy and detailed investigation, the pair were both charged by the Crown Prosecution Service.

They appeared at Salisbury Crown Court last Friday (1 April) for sentencing.

Baker, 27, of Weavers Close, Andover, was convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, a Class A drug, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis (Class B). He was jailed for two years and six months.

Chant, 33, of Rack Close, Andover, was convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and was jailed for two years and one month.

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A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “This case came about thanks to the two observant officers who noticed the suspicious behaviour of the occupants of the Land Rover and pulled the car over for further enquiries.

"What began as a routine traffic stop ended with two people being jailed for Class A drugs offences, so this highlights the importance of this sort of proactive policing.

“We know our communities are concerned about the impact of drug dealing, and the harm that this type of offending brings, so we want people to be reassured that we are taking action.”

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