'Prominent' drug dealer tried to hide heroin and crack cocaine in Pool Meadow toilet

[dutchman]

Body-cam footage captured by police helped to bring street dealer Ahmed Habarugira to justice



A “prominent” drug dealer tried to hide heroin and crack cocaine in a public toilet at Pool Meadow bus station after being stopped by police.

Ahmed Habarugira has been jailed after failing to evade justice when he was searched in Coventry city centre.

The 27-year-old was already on bail on suspicion of drugs offences when he was stopped by officers on February 4 this year.

He was breaching his bail conditions by being at the bus station and was taken to the nearby cubicle for a full search due to suspicions he had drugs.

Det Con Jon Barker, from Coventry Police, said: "We believe Habarugira was a prominent street dealer but he won’t be seeing the streets anytime soon.

"We’ll continue to pursue those involved as we strive to drive drugs out of the city. They not only cost lives but lead to further crime to fund habits."

Habarugira was discovered with no drugs on him but a blue ball consisting of heroin and crack cocaine was found next to a toilet brush.

The suspect - who also goes by the name Wheezy - claimed ignorance but body-worn camera footage showed he had thrown it from his back pocket as the search began.

He was already under investigation for drugs offences last September after West Midland Police arrested him in Swanswell Park.

Habarugira was seen dropping bags of Class A drugs by a fisherman and a subsequent search of his home led to heroin being seized from a connected outhouse.

A mobile phone containing messages consistent with the supply of drugs was also recovered.

Habarugira, of Widdecombe Close, Wood End, pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

He was sentenced to five years and four months at Warwick Crown Court on July 9.