Drug dealer jailed after officers smelt cannabis wafting from Tranmere flat in Wirral

A drug dealer has been jailed following an investigation after officers smelt cannabis wafting from a flat in Tranmere.

In November last year officers from Wirral were at a block of flats on Brougham Avenue, when they noticed a strong smell of cannabis in the communal hallway which led them to one of the flats.

Following a visit at the address, drug paraphernalia could be seen in the living room and a search was conducted resulting in white powder, white pills and cannabis found stashed in a bedroom.

A small Japanese style sword and a long-curved sword were also seized.

The occupier, 57-year-old Derek Tinkler, was arrested and charged for the drug offences.

Following an earlier court hearing in March he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply controlled Class A and B drugs, namely heroin and cannabis, and possession of criminal property.

Yesterday, Monday 8 June, Tinkler, was sentenced to three years and five months in prison.

Area Commander for Wirral, Mark Wiggins said: “This was great result were Tinkler tried to profess it was personal use, but the quantity of drugs seized showed that he was involved in dealing heroin and cannabis.

“This proactive work is to ensure we take offenders supplying drugs off our streets. Any type of drug dealing is a blight on our communities and causes misery to families and often involves the exploitation of vulnerable people.

“Organised crime is hugely damaging to our communities, where drug dealers often use violence and intimidation, and creating fear in neighbourhoods.

“Criminals involved in organised crime have no thought for anyone other than themselves, and their criminal intent and greed.

“Our work to bring these people to justice will continue on a daily basis and I would ask anyone who has information about this kind of activity to come forward so action can be taken.”

Anyone with information on suspected drug dealing or criminal activity in your community can contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X or Facebook @MerPolCC.

You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously