Police and Council join forces to evict local drug dealer

from his flat in Wanborough Drive Roehampton ....

A convicted drug dealer has been evicted from his flat in Roehampton as part of the joint crackdown on drug crime by the council and police.

Ricardo Taffurelli was evicted from his home in Witley Point in Wanborough Drive on Thursday March 9th following an earlier hearing at Wandsworth Country Court.

The council's application for an eviction notice was based on the fact that Mr Taffurelli had broken the council's tenancy agreement. An application by his solicitor to appeal against the eviction order was refused by the judge.

He was arrested by the police in April last year in Fontley Way, Roehampton, after being found in possession of a large quantity of crack cocaine. In January, he was jailed for three years for possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply. When he is released from custody the council will be under no obligation to re-house him.

Cabinet member for housing Cllr Martin D Johnson pictured left said: "We will not hesitate to take the toughest action against people who bring misery to local communities by peddling drugs.

"As a result of his crimes, he will not only be serving a term of imprisonment, but he has also lost his home. People who choose to sell drugs on our housing estates can expect nothing less."

"We will continue to work closely with the police and other agencies to tackle drug dealing and drug abuse on local housing estates."

March 17, 2006