Drug dealer who threw cocaine from window during police raid jailed

A drug dealer who tried to get rid of evidence after being found with a loaded shotgun has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

Police raided Billy Sturgeon’s home in south west London following a tip-off, but he hurled Class A crack cocaine and heroin from a loft window.

Sturgeon, 20, also had paraphernalia inside including weighing scales, a burner phone and nearly £3,000 cash.

In a spare bedroom, a loaded shotgun was found with two cartridges and a Taser recovered on top of a chest of drawers.

Sturgeon, from Wandle Road, Merton was arrested following an intelligence-led operation on June 20, 2022.

At Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and supplying Class A drugs.

Detective Constable Leah Brough, of the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime (Trident), said: “The weight of evidence against Sturgeon left him with no choice but to plead guilty.

“The estimated street value of the drugs seized – including cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin – was nearly £20,000. On examination of the burner phone, police found an array of messages from people placing orders for drugs.

“The shotgun and Taser were seized for specialist examination and will be destroyed.

“They are clear proof of the inextricable link between drugs and the violence that blights communities and destroys lives. The cash was also ordered for forfeiture.

“We are doing everything in our power to investigate and bring offenders to justice.

“Anyone who engages in similar activity can look at this story and be assured that they too could find themselves in prison.”