Bognor Drug Dealer Jailed After Armed Police Witnessed Deals

A 21-year-old man has been jailed for two years after armed police witnessed him supplying class A drugs in Bognor Regis.

Kirl Mutafchiev, of no fixed address, was seen by officers from Sussex Police's Tactical Firearms Unit while they were on patrol in the town on 5 August.

He was driving an uninsured Renault Clio and officers witnessed what they believed to be drug deals taking place.

The vehicle was stopped in Somerset Gardens and Mutafchiev was arrested.

He initially denied dealing drugs, but officers searched him and found 25 wraps of a class A drug concealed in his underwear.

A subsequent investigation found evidence that he had been supplying cocaine using a mobile phone.

At Portsmouth Crown Court on 4 September, Mutafchiev admitted possessing a class A drug with intent to supply, driving without valid insurance and possessing cannabis.

He was sentenced to two years in prison and the Renault Clio was seized.

Tactical Firearms Unit Inspector Marion Knight said firearms officers carried out a range of duties beyond armed response, including supporting local policing.

She said the officers had been on patrol in Bognor when they saw the suspected drug deals and acted to disrupt the supply of drugs in the area.

Arun District Commander Chief Inspector Kay Hutchings said the evidence showed Mutafchiev had been dealing cocaine in Bognor.

She said he was "swiftly arrested" and later pleaded guilty following an investigation by Chichester and Arun CID.