A drug dealer's cache of firearms was discovered after his girlfriend called the police. Ronnie Beardmore, 22, of Waterloo Road in New Brighton, Wirral, stashed a sawn-off shotgun and a converted blank-firing pistol in a friend's flat while the friend was reportedly fighting in Ukraine.
The tip-off also led to the discovery of heroin, cocaine, cannabis, and magic mushrooms hidden in an Under Armour rucksack, Aldi and Footasylum bags, and Kinder eggs. His criminal activities funded a lavish lifestyle, including a £12,000 holiday to Thailand, a Rolex watch, and up to £50,000 in cash at any one time.
Police Search and Seizure
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Beardmore's former partner reported he had forced her to drive him around while he dealt drugs and helped adulterate and package heroin and cocaine. She also alleged he used her flat to store his stock.
These drugs were later moved to an address on Mount Avenue in Bebington, reportedly belonging to an associate who had left to fight in Ukraine. A search of both properties on February 2 found a converted blank-firing pistol and a sawn-off shotgun, along with ammunition.
Drugs and paraphernalia, including a mixing bowl, scales, and sandwich bags, were found in an Under Armour bag. A total of 430g of cocaine, 48.1g of heroin, 647g of cannabis, and 426g of cannabis resin were seized. This included "import quality" cocaine in a Footasylum bag, worth between £17,000 and £30,000.
Sentencing and Judge's Remarks
Beardmore pleaded guilty to possession of prohibited weapons, possession of ammunition, and possession of drugs with intent to supply. He was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison.
Judge Brian Cummings KC rejected Beardmore's claims that the drugs and firearms were not his and that he was merely a custodian. He noted that such custodians do not typically enjoy £12,000 holidays to Thailand, concluding that Beardmore was "fully involved and fully in control" of his activities.
