Drug dealer imprisoned after being caught by Bolton police

Officers had been called to St Gregory's Close in Farnworth on May 12 last year when they came across a Volkswagen Golf parked near the street. 

They saw a man approach the front window of the car before getting into its backseat. 

Tavanga Chipangura, aged 21, was sitting in the front passenger seat, with 39 wraps of heroin, 74 wraps of crack cocaine and a knife in his possession, Bolton Crown Court heard.

Chipangura, who is of Georgina Street, Daubhill, appeared at the court  to be sentenced for to possession of a bladed article in a public place and two counts of possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, for the crack and heroin. 

He had previously pleaded guilty to the offences.

Prosecuting, Geoffrey Lowe said: "On May 12 last year, officers were attending St Gregory's Close in Farnworth for a separate job. 

"As they approached its junction with Century Lodge, they saw a gold Volkswagen Golf stationary in the road. A male in his 50s approached the window, before getting into the rear of the vehicle. 

"The car moved forward and the driver looked nervous. Police positioned themselves in front of the Golf, which reversed and appeared to make off. 

"They put their emergency signals on and it stopped." 

Officers suspected a drug deal was going on and searched the occupants. The rear passenger had £10 on him. 

Tavonga Chipangura (Image: GMP) Chipangura was detained after police found a "foldable knife" on his person. He was then taken to Swinton Police Station, where he was searched. 

Mr Lowe said: "Two packets fell from his underwear, the drugs were crack cocaine and heroin." 

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The value of the drugs were estimated to be around £1000 together. He also had £750 cash on him. 

Chipangura reportedly told a constable that the knife was for "self defence" but otherwise gave a no comment interview. 

He has no previous convictions.

Defending, Mark Friend said: "These offences speak to a defendant of limited maturity and limited development. 

The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest) "The background circumstances, circumstances with which the court will be depressingly familiar, are a man of 19 at the time with a perfectly decent background, having never offended in any way, becomes involved in the supply of class A drugs. 

"He recognises his choices were his choices." 

Mr Friend highlighted that Chipangura has not committed any further offences since this one, which was almost 18 months ago. 

He added: "He is committed to family, his partner is pregnant and due to give birth in January." 

Mr Friend added that he was not someone probation viewed to be at high risk of harm or reoffending. 

Concluding, Judge Elliot Knopf said: "In the 30 years that I have been sitting in Crown Court, I have seen many examples time and again of the consequences class A drugs have on society, on the addicts who take these drugs, on families of addicts who are often saddened to see the consequences and the effect on society in general. 

"People commit acquisitive offences in order to fund their habit. The message needs to get home that drug dealers, if they engage in these activities, will be punished." 

He added: "Those armed with knives for self defence, as you said, can be very easily led into using those knives because that is why they have them. 

"They are consequences I have seen over the years repeatedly." 

Judge Knopf sentenced Chipangura to 30 months imprisonment.