Dealer jailed for firearms and drug offences

A drug dealer who was found to be carrying a rifle and ammunition when he was arrested has been jailed for nine years and four months at Bristol Crown Court.

Ellis Kow, 25, from Courtney Way in Kingswood was arrested at his home in March.

When arrested, police found over nine kilos of heroin and two kilos of cocaine in his cars, along with designer clothes, bags, trainers and a Rolex watch at his house.

Det Ch Insp Adam Smith from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: "Kow was a key figure in a sophisticated organised crime group responsible for supplying large quantities of drugs across our region."

Kow was sentenced after pleading guilty to:

• Possession with intent to supply class A drugs - heroin and cocaine
• Possession with intent to supply class B drugs - cannabis
• Production of cannabis
• Possession of a firearm without a certificate
• Possession of ammunition without a certificate
• Possession of criminal property

Police also found 318 cannabis plants alongside three kilos of vacuum-packed cannabis and growing equipment at an industrial unit at The Printworks in Speedwell, which Kow had the keys for.

The rifle he was found with was a Czechoslovakian era bolt-action rifle, which police said was a viable weapon, and he had 10 rounds of ammunition.

Smith said: "His access to a rifle and live ammunition demonstrates the serious threat posed by those involved in this type of offending.

"Kow exerted significant influence within the [organised crime] group, overseeing the purchase, storage and distribution of class A drugs in wholesale quantities.

"He also managed the site where large amounts of cannabis were cultivated and harvested.

"There is no doubt that this was a highly lucrative criminal enterprise.

"The drugs seized during our investigation had the potential to generate criminal profits of up to £1.1m."

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