Pair sentenced after proactive patrols uncover Class A drugs and cash

Two men have been sentenced after officers uncovered Class A drugs and cash during proactive patrols in Surrey.

On Friday, 20 March at around 1am, officers stopped a vehicle after it caught their attention driving along Molesey Road towards Hersham. Following checks and observations linking the vehicle to activity consistent with drug supply, officers carried out a search under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

During the search, officers located over £1000 in cash, two mobile phones, and 26 wraps of cocaine.

The driver, Slavcho Amedinov, 42 (DOB: 02/04/1984) of no fixed address, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession with intention to supply Class A drugs.

When questioned by officers, Amedinov stated he was travelling to a friend’s address but was unable to provide any details other than the postcode.

Later that same evening, officers on patrol in Walton stopped a second vehicle after checks revealed it was registered and insured to Amendinov.

The driver, Tsvetomir Malinov, 23 (DOB: 22/07/2002) from Lincolnshire, was found to only hold a provisional licence. Further enquiries also linked this vehicle to areas associated with drug supply activity.

Officers carried out a search of the vehicle and a police drugs dog indicated the presence of drugs concealed within the dashboard panel. Officers recovered quantities of cocaine along with £755 in cash.

Malinov was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and driving without third-party insurance.

On 28 May, both men appeared at Guildford Crown Court, where they were sentenced as follows:

Slavcho Amedinov, 42 (DOB: 02/04/1984) of no fixed address pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.
Tsvetomir Malinov, 23 (DOB: 22/07/2002) of Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay £403 in fines.

The cash, vehicles and drugs seized during the investigation were forfeited and destroyed.

Investigating officer A/PS Galpeer-Shade said: “This investigation demonstrates our continued commitment to tackling the supply of illegal drugs in Surrey. What began as proactive patrols resulted in officers recovering harmful Class A drugs destined for our communities.
"Drug-related crime causes significant harm to local communities and we will continue to target those involved in the supply of illegal drugs and bring them before the courts.”