Community reporting helps catch and jail Rushden drug dealer

A man found with 99 wraps of illegal drugs in his underpants, breaking a suspended sentence for previous drugs offences, has been jailed for two and a half years.

Kyle Beirne, aged 20, was arrested by Northamptonshire Police on May 4 this year by officers acting on information from the community about suspected drug dealing in the Hayden Road area of Rushden.

Using the pretext of walking a dog, Beirne had been selling drugs from the cover of an alleyway, and when officers conducted a stop and search, they found he had £1,522.10 in cash and two phones in his possession.

He was then arrested and a strip search in custody found 99 wraps of three different Class A drugs – 25 packets of cocaine, 43 wraps of crack cocaine, and 31 of heroin, with an estimated street value of around £2,000 – in his underpants.

Beirne, of Slaters Close, Rushden, was charged with three counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug, and one count of possession of criminal property.

He entered guilty pleas to all charges, and on August 10 appeared before Northampton Crown Court for sentencing, where he was told he will spend 27 months in a young offenders’ institution.

Beirne received a further three months’ imprisonment, to be served consecutively, for the breach of a 24-month suspended sentence imposed in November 2022 for three previous possess with intent to supply offences, the breach of a conditional discharge, and cannabis possession, bringing his total sentence to 30 months.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Ali Deamer, of the Force’s CID North, said: “We were able to put a stop to Kyle Beirne’s illegal activity thanks to the vigilance and community spirit of Rushden residents in making reports to us.

“Drugs cause real harm to both individuals and communities, which is why tackling drug harm is a matter of priority for Northamptonshire Police.

“We are committed to bringing those responsible for drugs-related offending to justice, and I hope Beirne takes advantage of the support available during his time in prison to make better choices in the future.”

Find out more about our commitment to tackling drug harm here.

Report suspicious activity and non-emergency crime by calling 101, or online at www.northants.police.uk/RO. The information you provide could be key to stopping criminal activity and bringing offenders before the courts.

Anonymous reports can also be made via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

In an emergency, where a crime is in progress or life could be at risk, always call 999.