Middlesbrough drug dealer sentenced after police drone spots park deal

A drug dealer who was caught on a police drone carrying out a crack cocaine deal in a Middlesbrough park has been sentenced by the courts.

At around 2pm on February 16, 2026, Cleveland Police deployed a drone in Albert Park, Middlesbrough, after reports of drug dealing in the area.

Not too long into the drone search Junior Lavin, 19 from Middlesbrough, was caught when he pulled up on an electric bike and carried out a drug deal witnessed by the drone.

Lavin then attempted to flee from plain-clothed officers who intercepted the deal, a court heard.

After a short foot pursuit, he was arrested and an electric bike was seized along with over 30 deals of crack cocaine.

A subsequent search of an address led to a second recovery of an electric bike.

Lavin was charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, possession of criminal property and driving without a licence or insurance.

On Monday (Aug 3), at Teesside Crown Court, Lavin was sentenced to a two-year sentence which was suspended for two years.

Middlesbrough Proactive Team Sergeant John Sproson said: “We will use all tools available to us in the fight against class A drugs in Middlesbrough.

“Utilising the drone and other tactics, we will continue to remove class A drugs from the streets of Middlesbrough and seize any illegal bikes which assist dealers in carrying out this criminality.”