A LONDON drug dealer has been jailed for seven and a half years after police busted him in a house where they discovered a machete and hundreds of wraps of cocaine and heroin.

Qalash Burnett-Charles, of Highbury New Park, Islington, pleaded guilty to four counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs on Monday at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London.

The high-profile prison sentence is the result of a lengthy investigation from Thames Valley Police after the 25-year-old arrived in Oxfordshire to deal drugs.

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At around 1.40pm on November 15, 2018, officers attended an address located on Preston Road, Abingdon, as they believed it was being used by local criminals.

Burnett-Charles tried to escape the property via the rear exit, however, officers caught up with him and detained him.

The force discovered he was carrying more than £1,400 in cash and he was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs.

Officers conducted a search of the property where they found a machete, and a bag containing 225 wraps of heroin and cocaine.

The street value of the drugs was later estimated to be around £4,500.

These were seized and Burnett-Charles was bailed while further forensic enquiries took place.

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A summons was sent to the address of Burnett-Charles in London, charging him with two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

When he failed to appear a warrant was issued for his arrest and he was arrested in October 2020 and remanded in custody.

He was also charged with two further counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Investigating officer, PC David Simpkins of the South and Vale Tasking Team, based at Abingdon police station, said: "Burnett-Charles saw fit to come to Abingdon from London in order to deal drugs for his own benefit.

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"Thames Valley Police will not tolerate those who deal drugs within our towns and cities.

"This was a lengthy investigation, where the offender sought to hide from the crimes he had committed.

"However he has now been brought to justice and has been given a lengthy custodial sentence.

"We will continue to work with our partners in order to stop county lines drugs dealers through our Stronghold commitment in order to stop those who are harming our communities with their criminal behaviour."

To report drug-use information in your neighbourhood, call 101 or visit TVP's website.