Drug dealer who 'spread misery' jailed

Donovan Tanaka Mkutchwa was sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison

A drug dealer who was found in possession of hundreds of pounds worth of cocaine and ketamine has been jailed.

Donovan Tanaka Mkutchwa, 24, was stopped by police in Harrogate on 5 May 2023 and officers recovered 13 bags of cocaine and 10 bags of suspected ketamine.

At the time, he was already serving a suspended sentence for drugs offences and was the subject of two investigations into his involvement in supplying cannabis.

At York Crown Court on Thursday, Mkutchwa was jailed for four years and 10 months.

In June 2023 he admitted two drugs possession charges, before pleading guilty to a further two offences in December.

For the latter two offences, Mkutchwa had been found to be in possession of cannabis later valued at about £11,000, North Yorkshire Police said.

Following Mkutchwa's arrest in May last year, officers found more bags containing cocaine, ketamine and a set of scales during a search at a property where he was staying, the force added.

Police found cocaine and ketamine when they arrested Mkutchwa in May 2023

The total value of all drugs seized during that search was approximately £2,250.

Investigating officer PC Michael Haydock said: “Mkutchwa has been dealing illegal substances for many years and has used others to assist in his criminal activity, putting himself above them in an attempt to distance himself from street level drug dealing.

"Not only that, he has continued to offend despite being given a suspended sentence and while under investigation for identical offences.

“For Mkutchwa, this has now come to an end and he is one less person who spreads misery on the streets of Harrogate."

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