Croydon man jailed for dealing cocaine and marijuana. Pic: Blind Nomad
A Croydon drug dealer who evaded the police by using a false identity was sentenced to five years and ten months on Wednesday.
Jeremiah Johnson, 20, was convicted of supplying cocaine and marijuana to Croydon and Greenwich residents.
After escaping arrest on multiple occasions, the Waltham Forest resident, who has been in and out of police custody during the last year, was detained for the last time in April, breaking an officer’s finger as he resisted arrest.
Detective Constable Laura Hill from Greenwich Violent and Organised Crime Unit (VOCU) said: “Despite his repeated attempts of trying to evade arrest and giving police false details, he now faces a considerable time behind bars.”
Croydon police’s first encounter with Johnson was in December 2012, when he was caught driving while disqualified in Greenwich. Officers searched Johnson’s car and found £270, a large amount of cannabis, and cocaine concealed in a cigarette box.
Johnson fled on foot and escaped arrest. Then, in February this year, he was caught on CCTV footage selling drugs outside of West Croydon train station.
Police arrested the 20-year-old in a nearby residential garden but Johnson was then released on bail.
A few weeks later, officers searching a house in Lewisham Hill found Johnson, who was wanted for two separate incidents in Greenwich at the time, with drugs and related paraphernalia.
He was arrested and charged with intent to supply class A and B drugs, driving while disqualified and injuring a police officer while resisting arrest.
He pleaded guilty to all offences and has been sentenced to five years and ten months at Woolwich Crown Court on Wednesday. Upon release, he will also be disqualified from driving for three years.
Detective Constable Hill added: “Drug dealers do significant harm to our communities. If you have concerns or suspect drug dealing in your local area then you can contact us and we will take positive action to identify, arrest and convict those responsible as we have done with Johnson.”
