A 21-year-old heroin dealer who tried to hide a 15 inch hunting knife from police has been jailed for three and a half years.

Ruben Bolina, of Southcote Road, Reading, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court yesterday (March 29) after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin and possession of a knife in a public place.

Bolina had bolted from police officers after they saw what they suspected was a drug deal at the junction of Baker Street and Russell Street on July 18 last year.

He was seen throwing a sheathed knife under a parked car prior to being arrested.

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Three wraps of crack cocaine and heroin were found in his pocket together with two mobile phones and cash.

Officers also identified a flat on Russell Street believed to have been ‘cuckooed’ by Bolina where they recovered drug-dealing paraphernalia and further cash.

Cuckooing is when someone exploits vulnerable people by using their home as a base for dealing drugs.

Detective Constable Jon Nicholls said: “Thames Valley Police’s Stronghold team will continue to proactively and robustly target and prosecute offenders linked to drug-dealing.

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“Our activity will be both visible and covert aimed at disrupting and pursuing offenders involved in the supply of drugs.

“The information from the public around the drug supply offences in Reading plays an important role in developing intelligence into a proactive investigation.

“If you have any information, we would encourage you to report it to us by calling 101 or on our website.

“Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.