Drug dealer facing over 11 years behind bars

After trying to use the Covid pandemic as an excuse when caught by Surrey Police in 2020 with a boot full of Cannabis, a drug dealer is facing the next 11 years and nine months behind bars.

Josef Dawod, 31, of Cleveland Road, Worcester Park, was stopped by officers on Everest Road in Stanwell at 6.30pm on March 18, 2020. Officers grew suspicious due to the slight smell of Cannabis in the black BMW he was driving and following a preliminary search found £1,000 in cash in the driver’s door.

A further search of the vehicle uncovered two mobile phones that were constantly ringing and one kilo of vacuum-packed Cannabis worth over £10,000.

When questioned, Dawod claimed the drugs were for his personal use and he was simply stocking up due to Coronavirus.

Dawod was subsequently charged for possession with intent to supply Cannabis and possession with intent to supply Class B (other).

Between Dawod being charged for this offence and his first court appearance on 15/06/2021, he was further arrested and placed under investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Command for his involvement in a London based organised crime group facilitating the importation of cocaine from Europe into the UK.

He was charged along with several others and remanded to prison to await trial. Throughout the investigation, Surrey officers have been liaising with colleagues in the Met to share evidence from their respective investigations. This led to Dawod pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Cannabis, Possession with intent to supply Class B (other), Conspiracy to evade prohibition, Conspiracy to supply Cocaine and Conspiracy to supply cannabis. He was sentenced on January 27 this year at Kingston Crown Court, but due to the trials of other defendants, we have only been able to share this information now.

Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Daniel Bell, who led on the Surrey side of the investigation, said: “Drugs are a scourge on our society; they cause harm to everyone who comes into contact with them. Dawod was out to make himself a profit from other people’s suffering and I welcome the courts sentencing of him. He thought he was untouchable because he used encrypted phones to arrange his drug shipments but I hope this sentencing shows no one is untouchable if they choose to commit crime. Drugs have no place in Surrey.”

If you are concerned about drug use or drug dealing in your area, contact us online or via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999. 

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 TVs 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