Drug dealer's 'sneaky' hiding place for handgun after flat raid near Birmingham city centre
Lorenc Lika, aged 41, was arrested after West Midlands Police officers raided a flat located on Bell Barn Road, in the Westside area of Birmingham, near the city centre.
Officers, including those from the force's Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), targeted the address with a warrant on February 25 after acting on information.
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Inside, they unearthed a drug factory with a range of equipment used for the illegal production process.
Cocaine was also found, including some concealed behind a panel, alongside a handgun and ammunition.
West Midlands Police said that officers had found Class A drugs and a handgun hidden inside a jewellery box.
Lika, also of Bell Barn Road, was arrested at the address.
He later admitted possession of a firearm, ammunition and having Class A drugs with intent to supply.
He was jailed for eight years and nine months at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday (April 24).
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "A dealer has been jailed after we seized Class A drugs and a handgun which was hidden inside a jewellery box.
"Officers from West Midlands Police and Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) acted on information and carried out a raid near Birmingham city centre.
"We unearthed a drugs factory, with a range of equipment used for the illegal production process, inside the flat in Bell Barn Road.
"We also found cocaine, which included some concealed behind a panel, along with the gun and ammunition.
"Lorenc Lika was arrested from the address as we executed the warrant on 25 February this year.
"The 41-year-old, of Bell Barn Road, admitted possession of a firearm, ammunition and having Class A drugs with intent to supply.
"He was jailed for eight years and nine months at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday (24 April).
"We're continually working to take guns and drugs off the streets, and tackle organised crime, as part of Operation Target."
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