Police investigation into YouTube video leads to drug dealer being jailed

Bedfordshire Police has fired a warning to drug dealers and exploiters after a pioneering investigation using social media led to a man being jailed.

Fesal Khan has been convicted of drug offences after an investigation which started when police discovered a disturbing video on YouTube.

Detectives from Bedfordshire Police uncovered the video on the platform of Khan involved in criminal activity.

Police were able to identify the people in the video and carried out a warrant within a week – finding thousands of pounds of cocaine, heroin, and cash as well as two BB guns at the address in Luton.

They also found a smart TV at the address was logged into the YouTube channel the video was posted on.

Khan, 41, of Marsh Road, Luton, subsequently pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin, as well as weapons offences.

Yesterday (Thursday) at Luton Crown Court Khan was jailed for three years and four months.

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Detective Sergeant Darren Murphy, from Bedfordshire Police's Cyber Hub, said: "This is a great result and another tool in our arsenal to disrupt criminal gangs and get them off the streets.

"It is a sad reality that many criminals, from drug dealers and other organised crime groups through to fraudsters and sexual predators, now carry out a significant amount of their offending online.

"Criminals operating online should be clear. We know who you are, we know what you're doing and we will use everything in our locker to take action against you."

To report concerning information you see online to police you can visit beds.police.uk/ro/report