Man gets five years for stash of gun and drugs

A criminal from the Black Country has been locked up for five years following a police raid that uncovered a sawn-off pump-action shotgun and a stash of heroin in a suitcase.

Neilton Campbell, from Bentley, in Walsall, was jailed as part of a police investigation targeting gun, gang and drug crime. The shotgun was found hidden in a gym bag in an outhouse at a property in Derby.

A haul of heroin was also discovered in a suitcase in the bedroom of the house in Randolph Road.

DNA evidence was found on the gun which linked officers with 26-year-old Campbell back in the West Midlands, where he was arrested.

Campbell, of Locker Close, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and was sentenced to five years in prison at Derby Crown Court this week.

Officers from Derbyshire Constabulary searched the house in September last year as part of Operation Redshank.

Lechouin Kniveton-Rerrie was arrested over the heroin that was recovered.

The 33-year-old was subsequently charged with attempt to possess cocaine with intent to supply and possession of heroin with intent to supply.

Kniveton-Rerrie, of Trusley Gardens, Littleover, admitted both offences and was jailed for two years on Tuesday.

Det Sgt Jon Smith, of Operation Redshank, said: "This mindless gang culture will lead to misery for so many and we would urge anybody to come forward in confidence and speak with Redshank officers if they are being asked to do things under duress."

The operation has also seen 18-year-old Carl Bestwick, from Derby, locked up for three-and-a-half years after two blank firing revolvers and a live smooth- barrelled handgun – were found hidden within a cereal box in his room at the city's YMCA.