A TEENAGER has been jailed after using a vulnerable person's property as a hub for dealing drugs.

Daniel Bari was sentenced to a total of 26 months in prison at Reading Crown Court on Monday.

The 19-year-old admitted to one count of possession with intent to supply heroin and one count of possession with intent to supply cocaine during the hearing.

On 18 August this year, Bari, who was in the company of a known vulnerable person, was stopped in Andover Road, Newbury by officers.

He refused to give his details and was taken to Newbury police station to be searched, as it was suspected he was in possession of drugs.

Bari, of Stumpacre, Peterborough, aroused suspicion when police noticed his phone constantly ringing.

Both men were released, and later, officers carried out a welfare check at the home of the vulnerable person and found Bari at the address.

Officers had to force entry and Bari was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs.

It was believed that Bari had secreted drugs and was placed on a constant watch. During this period, three packages of drugs were discovered.

These packages equated to 72 wraps of cocaine and 46 wraps of heroin.

Bari was subsequently charged with the offences on 21 August.

After entering a guilty pleas to both counts, Bari was sentenced to two years and four months’ in prison and ordered to forfeit his phone and £346 in cash.

Detective constable Andy Philpott, based at Newbury Police Station, said: “Bari is a county lines drug dealer who preyed on a vulnerable person to use their house to supply drugs from to local users, which is known as cuckooing.

“This is not acceptable in our community, and the prison sentenced handed down sends a message to dealers who operate within West Berkshire that this will not be tolerated.

“This is another good result for our Stronghold campaign, in which we will work in partnership to tackle serious and organised crime.

“We are committed to preventing drug dealing in the community, I would urge anybody who has any concerns or information to contact 101 or visit our website.”