Caterham drug dealer receives prison sentence

Caterham drug dealer receives prison sentence

Iurie Ciorba, 26, of Harestone Valley Road, Caterham, was arrested on the 28  June 2020 after he was stopped by officers on the A23, Brighton Road in Hooley, having noticed his car swerving on the road. Ciorba was detained for a search and with the help of Police Dog, Marven. A mobile phone was found attached to the dashboard with a number of recently searched post codes, along with text messages indicative of drug dealing were found. A number of plastic bags containing cocaine were also hidden in a concealed compartment in a deodorant bottle, found in the car.

Ciorba was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. Ciorba was taken to custody where he admitted his involvement in supplying cocaine to areas in Surrey, Sussex and London.

He was charged and appeared at Guildford Crown Court on Wednesday, 3 August where he was sentenced to 26 months in prison.

Investigating Officer PC Joseph Brown said “Ciorba was a cog in a network of criminals that supply Class A drugs in this county, shown through the organised nature of the transport, concealment and sale of the drugs involved in Ciorba’s case. Though the initial search of Ciorba didn’t reveal anything, our officers knew something didn’t add up and with the help of a specialist drugs dog managed to identify the significant quantity of cocaine he was carrying.

“Surrey Police is working hard to tackle the supply of drugs within and beyond the county borders, and I hope this case deters anyone that thinks of starting up, or is currently active in, the supply of these substances. No matter how well they think they can hide it, we’re committed to uncovering the truth.”

You can report online, or by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

What are the signs of potential drug dealing?

•      Lots of visitors, who don't stay very long, arriving at all times of the day and night

•      People waiting in cars outside particular properties exchanging small packets or cash

•      Lots of visitors bringing items such as TV's or bikes but leaving empty handed

•      Lone/vulnerable neighbours suddenly having groups of young men living at their address

What we want to know:

•      Time, date and place

•      Vehicle registrations and the make, model and colour

•      Descriptions of people and details of what they were doing