Drug dealer who 'ran into traffic' to avoid police jailed for two years

A cocaine dealer who was hiding a knife and attempted to evade police by running across a busy road has been sentenced to two years in prison. 

Luciano Johnson-Ford, 20, of Wolverhampton, was driving a Mercedes on Mosswood Street, on November 27 last year.

Officers from Staffordshire Police's organised crime team were waiting nearby and spotted Johnson-Ford pull over to a man and give him a snap seal bag. 

The proactive officers quickly caught up with the man and found a deal of cocaine that had been purchased for £50. 

Johnson-Ford's car was boxed in by police on Watling Street, where he got out and ran across a number of busy roads to try and escape, however, he was quickly caught and arrested. 

Officers searched the car and found more than 80 deals of class A drugs, and £1,170 in cash. 

It was also found that Johnson-Ford didn't have a driving licence. 

Before being searched, he also told officers that he had a hidden lock-knife on him.

After being charged by officers, Johnson-Ford pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A (cocaine), possession of a knife in a public place, possession of criminal property and driving without a licence or insurance. 

Johnson-Ford was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Stafford Crown Court on January 9. He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and made to pay £1,000 in costs. 

A Staffordshire Police spokesperson said: "Since we launched our crackdown on major and organised crime in May 2023, we have arrested more than 1,000 people suspected of drug and weapon offences in Staffordshire."

Proactive efforts are taking place every single day to go after those responsible for high-harm crimes in our communities."