Nottingham: Man who held drug raffle jailed for cannabis imports

Adenaurys Anglero Abreu and Akil Beale were part of a large-scale drugs business from a home in Strelley, Nottingham

A drug dealer who held a raffle for clients to win cannabis after importing almost 350kg of the drug from the United States has been jailed.

Nottinghamshire Police said Adenaurys Anglero Abreu, along with Akil Beale, were part of a large-scale drugs business from a home in the city.

Detectives found Abreu was using an app to advertise cannabis.

Abreu was jailed for 10 and a half years and Beale was handed six year sentence at Nottingham Crown Court.

The drug dealers were spotted by officers on patrol when they left the property in Blidworth Close, Strelley, carrying a large blue carrier bag on 16 January 2023.

Police found the bag was full of vacuum-packed cannabis after they pulled over Abreu's Mercedes.

Abreu tried to hide his mobile phone in his underwear before he was arrested but it was found in a strip search, said officers.

Police said messages began popping up on the screen with people discussing drug deals.

'Substantial amounts of money'

Large quantities of cannabis were found in the hallway, kitchen and bedroom of the property, along with thousands of pounds of cash in bundles.

Police found Abreu had been involved in the importation of cannabis between July 2022 and January 2023 to various addresses across the Midlands.

He was sending directions to Beale and drug runners to complete deals on his behalf.

Police said he also spoke to a contact in the United States about his business model and possible payment using Bitcoin.

Abreu, 27, of Courtenay Gardens, Nottingham, had earlier pleaded guilty to the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug, supply of cannabis and possession of criminal property.

Beale, 24, of Thurgarton Street, Nottingham, was convicted of supplying cannabis, possession with intent to supply a controlled class B drug, and possession of criminal property.

Both men were sentenced at court on Wednesday.

Det Sgt James Hirst said: "Abreu and Beale were clearly making substantial amounts of money while getting other people to do their dirty work for them.

"Drugs continue to have a devastating impact on our communities, which is why we are determined to stop any such activity in its tracks."