Kiran Porter, 25, from Honeysuckle Road, Southampton, has been sentenced to five and a half years in jail after pleading guilty to multiple serious offences at Southampton Crown Court on 11 August.
Police officers found Porter in possession of a loaded gun, a silencer, and a round of ammunition. He was also convicted for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, including cocaine and cannabis.
On 5 July 2021, officers on patrol stopped Porter driving a grey Mercedes on Laburnum Road. When Porter stepped out to provide his details, he suddenly reached back through the window, grabbed a drawstring bag, and ran. He was quickly apprehended nearby, and the bag was seized.
Inside the bag, police discovered a pistol fitted with a silencer, a box containing 50 9mm bullets, and a haul of cocaine with a street value of up to £24,000.
The previous day, on 22 July 2020, a separate raid on Porter’s home uncovered £80,200 in cash hidden in a holdall in his wardrobe. Officers also found 130 grams of chemicals typically mixed with cocaine in the kitchen, along with a cannabis plant.
Additional items seized included 0.77 grams of cocaine, £600 in cash, and five mobile phones. Police also uncovered evidence of drug dealing activities through coded payment terms such as “fridge freezer.”
Detective Constable Hollie Cartwright of the Serious Organised Crime Unit stated, “Porter is a dangerous individual and by taking him, a large quantity of Class A drugs and a gun off the streets, Southampton is a safer place.”
She added, “Drug supply, firearms and serious violence come hand in hand, which is why reducing drug-related harm is one of our top priorities in Southampton. I hope our investigation shows that we will do all in our power to protect our communities and encourages members of the public to report any drug related activity to us.”
The judge also ordered that all drugs and firearms seized be destroyed, reinforcing a firm crackdown on crime in the city.
Originally published by UKNIP.
