A 19-year-old drug dealer was caught after being rugby tackled by a police officer in Newport. Footage from a National Police Air Service (NPAS) fixed-wing plane shows the man driving dangerously around the city before being floored by a Gwent Police officer.
Arrest after attempted escape
After being knocked to the ground by an officer waiting behind a parked car, the man fled and attempted to discard evidence but was arrested by other officers involved in an operation to address off-road vehicles being driven illegally.
An aircraft from NPAS supported neighbourhood officers in the east of Newport on Sunday April 5, during which the defendant was filmed driving an electric motorcycle dangerously.
Warrant and sentencing
Later that month, on April 30, officers carried out a warrant at the man’s address in Newport, recovering a large quantity of cash and mobile phones.
On Tuesday, August 11, the 19-year-old was sentenced at Newport Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, and driving a motor vehicle dangerously. The man, from Newport, received a suspended sentence.
Police comment
Sergeant Chris Hopkin, from Gwent Police, said: "We’re acutely aware of the impact that the illegal use of off-road bikes have on our communities and the link to the sale and supply of class A drugs.
"As evidenced by our ongoing work for Operation Krypton, we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that dealers who bring misery, suffering and fear to vulnerable people, their families and communities in Newport are caught and put before the courts. In this case, teamwork between our neighbourhood officers and NPAS put our resources in the right place to apprehend the suspect after we had worked together to identify his illegal driving.
"Our partnership work with NPAS also helped us stop the suspect in his attempts to evade officers and discard crucial evidence."
