Two men showed undercover police officer where to get drugs in Norwich

Gaffiel Abdullah, 57, and David Rivenburg, 39, were both arrested as part of the six-month Operation Granary after they showed an undercover officer called Tommo where to get drugs, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Chris Youell, prosecuting, said Rivenburg was a passenger in a car, approached by Tommo, and he indicated to the undercover officer another person in the vehicle, who had then supplied the officer with drugs.

He said the next day Abdullah had also pointed out to the undercover police officer where he could get drugs after meeting him near his flat in Gentry Place, in Norwich.

Rivenburg, of Poll Close, Wymondham, admitted encouraging or assisting an offence on February 20 this year and Abdullah admitted encouraging or assisting an offence on February 21 this year.

Both men had been due to stand trial but offered pleas before a jury was sworn in.

Jailing both men for 16 weeks, Judge Andrew Shaw praised the efforts by police to disrupt the flow of drugs into the city and said they should be 'commended' and described anything linked to the supply of Class A drugs as 'serious'.

However he accepted that both men had not been involved in handling any drugs although they had both pointed out to the undercover officer where he could buy them.

Andrew Oliver, for Abdullah, said he was a long-time user of heroin and cocaine as he needed to take drugs from time to time when his daily painkillers were not enough.

'He accesses illegal drugs and his use is sporadic and has been going on for many, many years.'

He said that Abdullah had just pointed the way to the officer: 'He points to where a drug deal is taking place and told him where to go to buy the drugs.'

Rob Pollington, for Rivenburg, said he was a heroin user at the time, although was now drug-free. 'On this particular occasion he has done nothing more than pointing the direction to Tommo.'