A SOUTHAMPTON man has been jailed after a shotgun and more than £27,000 in cash were found at his home.

Lee Carey, 40, currently residing in HMP Lewes, was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court to nine years in prison after "large quantities" of drugs and a shotgun were found at his home in Bentley Green.

In November last year, officers carried out a warrant at his house where they found more than £4,000 in cash, outhouses where cannabis plants were being grown and a large quantity of herbal cannabis and crack cocaine.

READ MORE: 'Dangerous' thug sliced through man's arm with kitchen knife during family row

A police dog also found a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition and a zombie knife along with a knuckle-duster.

After further searching, officers discovered a protein powder container buried in the garden with almost £23,000 in cash.

He pleaded guilty to possessing crack cocaine with the intent to supply, supplying heroin, possessing and producing cannabis and two charges of possessing criminal property, namely £27,240 in cash.

The weapons were all destroyed, and a proportion of the money seized will be reinvested into the force.

READ MORE: Man accused of stalking woman he knew after incidents

Detective Constable Lee Murden who led the investigation said: “Drug dealing causes harm to our community by targeting vulnerable individuals and bringing firearms into our city.

“This is why, with our partner agencies, we operate a zero-tolerance approach to any criminality which involves a firearm and other weapons.

“I hope this sentence sends a strong message that if you possess weapons or supply drugs, you will be prosecuted and can also expect a lengthy time behind bars.

“We rely on the public for information to plan warrants such as the one that led to Carey’s sentencing – so please continue to report what you know about drug dealing to us by calling 101 or reporting via our website.”

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook