Man jailed for dealing drugs in town

A DRUG dealer who brought cocaine, ketamine and cannabis to the streets of Harrogate has been jailed for four years and 10 months.

Donovan Tanaka Mkutchwa, 24, already remanded in prison, but previously of Keswick and Harrogate, was sentenced at York Crown Court.

In May 2023 police received information that Mkutchwa was supplying drugs in Harrogate. He was already the subject of two investigations into his involvement in the supply of cannabis and was under a suspended sentence due to being previously found in possession of a large quantity of cannabis.

North Yorkshire Police officers spotted him getting into a car that they later intercepted on Kings Road, Harrogate. The vehicle contained three occupants including Mkutchwa who was a passenger. Following a search he was found to be carrying ketamine and cocaine.

During a further search of a property in Harrogate, officers found more bags containing cocaine and ketamine and a set of scales. The total value of all the drugs was £2,250.

Investigating officer PC Michael Haydock said: “Mkutchwa has been dealing illegal substances for many years and has used others to assist in his criminal activity, putting himself above them in an attempt to distance himself from street level drug dealing.”