Man jailed for firearm and drug offences

A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to a total of five years in prison after a missing person investigation led to the discovery of a firearm and drugs.

On June 17 last year, Thames Valley Police visited an address in Sandy Lane Hill, Moulton, searching for a teenage boy who had been reported missing from the Milton Keynes area, after his mobile phone had been used to order pizza.

When officers attended the boy was not there, however during a search of the property a Colt revolver was discovered along with Class A drugs – crack cocaine and heroin – and cash.

The neighbouring force alerted their Northamptonshire Police colleagues and a further search of the two bedrooms discovered six rounds of 0.38 ammunition in the revolver’s chambers, making it a live and liable firearm.

A large quantity of Class A drugs were also recovered, including 1,805 wraps of crack cocaine and 69 wraps of heroin, along with drug paraphernalia and scales as well as more than £10,000 in cash.

While officers were at the scene, two males returned to the house but fled when they saw the police activity at the address. A police dog tracked the males to the nearby river, where a dark green cap was found which was later identified to belong to Kaya Mugugu.

Mugugu – who was renting a room at the address – handed himself in at the Criminal Justice Centre in Northampton on June 23 last year and was subsequently arrested and later charged with firearms and drug offences.

At Northampton Crown Court last Friday (August 4), Mugugu, who had pleaded guilty to the charges, was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of a firearm – prohibited weapon. An order was made to donate £10, 367.15 to a local charity.

He also received a further 17 months to run concurrently for being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug, possession of a controlled Class A drug, possession of ammunition without a firearm certificate and acquire/used possession/criminal property.

Detective Constable Mike Anslow, of the West LPA CID team, who led the investigation, said: “We know from experience that serious violence and drug harm often go hand-in-hand and that is why both are a matter of priority for the Force.

“I am pleased that we have managed to remove a firearm off the streets along with a quantity of Class A drugs, and I hope this sentence is seen as a deterrent to anyone who is on the periphery of getting involved in this type of criminality.”

Last May, Chief Constable Nick Adderley launched the Force’s Matters of Priority for the next three years, and along with serious violence, serious and organised crime, violence against women and girls, drug harm was included. More details at www.northants.police.uk

If anyone has concerns about drug dealing, or someone becoming drawn into gang culture, please report it to us on 101, online at www.northants.police.uk/ro or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.