Jail for drug dealer who was found cuckooing a vulnerable person's home in Swindon

• A drug dealer from London who was cuckooing a vulnerable person in Swindon has been jailed for more than two years.

• Joseph Hombessa, 22, was arrested after officers carried out a welfare check on a man in Tadpole Garden Village.

• Cuckooing is where drug dealers take over the homes of vulnerable people and we are encouraging people to know how to spot the signs so they can report concerns to the police.

 

A drug dealer who was found in a vulnerable person’s home during a welfare check by officers in Swindon has been jailed for more than two years.

Officers attended a property in Tadpole Garden Village in September 2020 to check on the person who lived there, as he was known to be vulnerable.

Joseph Hombessa answered the door, but could not give a valid reason for why he was at the property.

Police carried out a search and found evidence of drug supply and a rucksack with more than £800 in cash inside.

Hombessa, 22, who is from the London area, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

He appeared at Swindon Crown Court today (05/05) and was jailed for two years and four months.

PC Sean Williams, from the South Central Swindon neighbourhood team, said: “The work of our local neighbourhood team includes looking out for and providing support for some of the most vulnerable in our society.

“Cuckooing is where drug dealers exploit vulnerable people by taking over the homes to use as a base for their criminal activity. They often target people who are lonely, isolated or have addiction issues.

“We rely on people reporting their concerns to us, so we can take action and not only arrest the criminals but ensure the appropriate support is in place for those who need it.”

These are the signs you can look out for amongst your neighbours, friends or family members:

• frequent visitors at unsociable hours

• changes in your neighbour’s daily routine

• a vulnerable person declining visits from friends, family or care givers

• unusual smells coming from a property

• suspicious or unfamiliar vehicles outside an address

If you have concerns that someone you know might be a victim of cuckooing then please report this to the police.

We use this community intelligence as a key tool in targeting drug dealers, ensuring they are arrested and drugs seized, tackling anti-social behaviour and safeguarding the vulnerable.

• Call us on 101 all information is held securely and your name will not be used in evidence. Or if you prefer, ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. You can also report it online by going to our website.