Leeds university student drug dealer jailed over stash of cocaine, ketamine, cannabis and sedatives found at his flat

A Leeds student drug dealer caught with large amounts of controlled drugs during two police searches has been jailed for more than three years.

Reece Howcroft was found with 31 grams of cocaine and 18 grams of ketamine when officers from Leeds District Precision Team executed a warrant at his home in privately-rented student flats in Midland Road, Hyde Park, in February this year.

The drugs were found hidden in two pans in a kitchen cupboard.

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Officers also seized £1,130 in cash along with sets of scales, clear plastic dealer bags and mobile phones.

Student drug dealer Reece Howcroft was jailed for three years and four monthsStudent drug dealer Reece Howcroft was jailed for three years and four months
Student drug dealer Reece Howcroft was jailed for three years and four months

Howcroft, who was asked to leave his university course in 2019, was charged with possession of Class A and Class B drugs with intent to supply.

The 23-year-old had previously been charged with seven counts of possession with intent to supply after drugs were found during a search of his student accommodation in Mill Street, Leeds, in 2018.

Officers discovered an array of drugs, including 208 grams of MDMA, 33 MDMA tablets, 22 grams of cannabis, and seven grams of ketamine, along with 784 Zopiclone sleeping tablets and 162 Phenazepam sedative tablets, which are Class C controlled drugs.

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Howcroft failed to appear at court for those offences and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Howcroft pleaded guilty to all charges when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court and was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.

A confiscation order is being sought under the Proceeds of Crime Act in relation to the seized cash and other valuables recovered from his flat.

Detective Inspector Phil Jackson, of Leeds District Precision Team, which tackles serious and organised crime, said: “Howcroft was clearly someone involved in the organised supply of drugs and we suspect the student community that he was part of provided him with a very lucrative marketplace.

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“While the majority of students sensibly avoid the risks and harm that taking drugs can cause to their health and their academic careers, there is always a minority who unwisely choose to ignore the well-documented dangers.

“We remain fully committed to proactively targeting those involved in the criminal supply of drugs in our communities, whether within our student areas or elsewhere in Leeds.

“Information from our communities continues to play a vital role in our ongoing efforts to tackle the supply of drugs, and we would encourage anyone who is offered drugs or who has any information about those involved in supplying drugs in their area to contact us directly or pass information anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers.”