A Thames Valley Police sergeant has praised “proactive policing” in securing the conviction and imprisonment of a “prolific” West Oxfordshire drug dealer.

Krzysztof Bembnista, 48, of Henry Box Close in Witney was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment at Oxford Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, November 30) for possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs.

Mr Bembnista pleaded guilty to one count each of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A (cocaine) and Class B (amphetamine) in a hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Monday (November 27).

He also admitted to a proceeds of crime offence at the same hearing.

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At 8.45pm on September 23 this year, officers from the West Oxfordshire Problem Solving Team, based at Witney police station, were patrolling when they noticed a white combi van acting suspiciously at the Oxford Hill junction with Jubilee Way.

Officers stopped the van at the top of Oxford Hill and detained the driver, Bembnista, for a drugs search.

They located 31 deal bags containing amphetamine and 202 bags containing cocaine, with a street value of approximately £9,000, as well as £1,500 in cash.

Bembnista was arrested at the scene and charged the following day (September 24).

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Sergeant Gary Smales, of the West Oxfordshire Problem Solving Team, said: “Bembnista was a prolific drug dealer in West Oxfordshire and his activities were stopped that evening after some excellent proactive policing.

“This piece of work with the successful conviction at court has gone some way to protect the drug users and the local community from the fall-out of drug use.

"The Problem Solving Team at Witney will continue to work hard to keep our local community safe and remove drugs from the streets.

“I would urge anybody who has any information that can assist us, please contact us on 101, report online, or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."