TWO men who were found with up to £400,000 worth of class A drugs and a loaded pistol have been jailed for a combined 24 years.

Southampton Crown Court heard officers stormed a home in Station Road, Netley, in a probe into a drug line in the city.

Three men were found at the property including Mirza Baig and Dewain Choudhury.

Baig, 27, was trying to conceal property as police arrived, the court was told.

Inside, police found cannabis, six mobile phones, a zombie knife and the keys to a Ford Focus.

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Between £300,000 and £400,000 worth of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin was stashed in the Focus parked in a nearby car park.

A fully working automatic pistol was also found wrapped up in clingfilm. It was loaded with a magazine containing seven bullets.

Prosecuting, Rose Burns told the court how both Baig and Choudhury, 27, had been involved in the dealing of drugs across Southampton.

She said Choudhury had a leading role in a drugs line, supplying cocaine - sending adverts out to people offering his services.

In these adverts, he said the business was available 24/7, delivering all over the city - even claiming that they had been serving students for the last 10 years.

Business cards were also found - with selfies of himself present on one of the seized phones.

Choudhury was arrested as he attempted to drive a black Audi away from the scene on the day of the raid - December 14, 2022.

When interviewed by police he denied any knowledge of the Class A drugs, gun and cash, saying that he lived on his own at Station Road. Baig answered no comment.

Police found the names, dates of birth and prison numbers of two people convicted in London for the shooting of a teenager in Baig's phone.

The pistol seized in Netley had been used in the attack, police said.

Choudhury, of Chessel Street, Southampton has eight previous convictions for 17 offences including possession with intent to supply. He admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and failing to disclose a mobile phone PIN.

Baig of Bessemer Place, London, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin, as well as possessing a prohibited weapon and possession of criminal property - £22,000 cash.

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Alexander Upton, mitigating, said Baig disputes the value of the drugs and is described as a “bright, intelligent and eloquent young man”.

He said: “Baig grew up in an area that he describes as a very violent neighbourhood where everyone sells drugs.”

He added that he was “deeply remorseful” and had been a role model to younger members of his family.

Meanwhile, Nick Robinson, for Choudhury, said his client has not been dealing drugs for 10 years as was suggested in his adverts.

He said: “He is a stupid immature young man, dealing relatively small amounts at a time to users.”

Baig was jailed for 14 years and six months on Wednesday. Choudhury was jailed for 10 years and four months.

Judge Christopher Parker KC added: “This was a very substantial operation and you boasted about it and you were foolish enough to post a photo of yourself.”