Drug dealing video

naijapower

I will try and as brief as possible so as not to overload info.

We are experiencing poor Police support in our area. We have made reports of drug dealing but no joy from the law.
As a result, one of the neighbours has made a survellance video showing criminals in our area dealing in Class A drugs - Crack cocaine.
This has been going on for ages and the Police has been very inefficicient.
We have all reported our suspicion over and over again. For some strange reason, Police normally send their partols when it is very quiet.
We were getting worried that Police would think we are making up tales hence the videos tactics.
Police confirm these people are bad but claim they dont think they are dealers or have any evidence to back this up.
The whole episode became worrying that most people even suggested local Police were corrupt or covering up for criminals- a very serious allegation indeed.
Well, we have sent surveillance video to Police but they have gone into hiding. Police have been very quiet maybe out of embarrasment..am not too sure.
They have refused to get back to any of us. Their initial response was to diplomatically condemn the neighbour for putting his safety at risk. He made it clear that he wasnt a busy body and that this has gone on for over a year. No one can label him or any of us impatient or hasty.The conseqeunce of this drug trade has been bad for the area. We have had street fights where a gun was waved, sticks were used and liquid suspected to be acid was used to chase someone down the street.

Based on my video evidence, can Police not arrest this people on suspicion of handling, using and trading in Class A drugs. Surely witnesses and video can be kept confidential.
Any advise would be most welcomed. Any legal expert or ex Police on board?

naijapower

With regards to the law which the Police are paid to enforce, The Misuse of Drugs Act states that it is an offence to:

• possess a controlled substance unlawfully
• possess a controlled substance with intent to supply it
• supply or offer to supply a controlled drug (even if it is given away for free)
• allow a house, flat or office to be used by people taking drugs

In addition, Crack Cocaine falls under class A. It is designated as controlled substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and using them is illegal. Class A drugs are considered to be the most likely to cause harm. Possession carries up to seven years in prison or an unlimited fine or both while dealing carries up to life in prison or an unlimited fine or both.

Stavros_3

naijapower wrote: »

Based on my video evidence, can Police not arrest this people on suspicion of handling, using and trading in Class A drugs. Surely witnesses and video can be kept confidential.
Any advise would be most welcomed. Any legal expert or ex Police on board?

Hi, I am the former with a Drug enforcement background. Firstly you have my utmost sympathy for the activity taking place in your area. You have done the right thing by notifying the police of your suspicions and now the difficult bit. Evidentially the video can be challenged by the suspects and their legal reps by saying "Can you prove these items were drugs that were being exchanged". Galling I know but I've spent all my working life in law and order and have seen similar things fall at the first hurdle, now if the video shown someone breaking into a house or a car then that is evidence, can you see where I'm going with this?. What the police need to do is to conduct their own surveillance and evidence gathering, the details of which I am loathe to discuss on a public forum. What is your next step?, well thats easy, you or your community need to write to the Divisional Police commander explaining your plight and that you have provided video footage but that you have not received any support or response from the police. I have further advice to give you if that fails, but give the boss a chance to respond first. You can p.m me for further advice if you require it. Good luck

naijapower

Many thanks. We have made some progress and shall be meeting Divisional Head very shortly. We have also written to local MP.
However, a popular national sunday newspaper is interested in the video. Would this not implicate the video maker as the criminals may guess rightly where it was shot from. Except of cos, the paper wants to help us by putting pressure on Police and not publishing video