A FORMER painter and decorator involved in "by far the biggest drugs enterprise in this area" has been jailed for eight years.

Christian Hack was a "crucial employee" of drugs baron Hussein Tourh, jailed for 25 years in December.

Hack, a 25-year-old Bournemouth man, stored and delivered drugs for Tourh, earning around £12,500 for his part in the business.

Tourh had nearly £1.8 million in the loft of his home in Southwood Avenue, Southbourne, when he was arrested.

Defending Hack, Susan Evans told Bournemouth Crown Court: "He made £12,450 profit - that is a far cry from what was in the attic in the main house.

"It was a tremendous risk to take for such apparent small profit.

"It is a measure of his foolishness that he took such an incredible risk for such little reward."

Hack pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A, B and C drugs to others, two offences of possession of Class A with intent to supply, having an offensive weapon and possession of Class B with intent to supply at a hearing in July last year.

Sentencing, Judge Roger Jarvis said he would have jailed him for 12-14 years if he had not admitted his crimes.

"The court took a very serious view indeed of the activities of Hussein Tourh - there is no doubt that he and you were involved in by far the biggest drugs enterprise in this area, involving many kilos of controlled drugs.

"Those who are caught and are convicted or admit involvement in drugs will receive significant prison sentences."

The court was told Hack had 50,000 ecstasy pills worth £250,000 at his home in Alumhurst Road, Westbourne, as well as 16kg of amphetamine with a street value of around £50,000.

Their investigation revealed Hack, who was brought up and educated in Bournemouth, was being paid by Tourh for the collection, delivery and storage of controlled drugs.

Police believed that the ecstasy pills were destined for Bournemouth's lively pub and club scene.

DC Mark Prince told the Daily Echo: "The investigation was successful in terms of the quantity of controlled drugs removed from circulation and the sentence handed down in this case should deter others from involving themselves in this activity.

"Tackling drug-related crime, in particular the supply of Class A drugs, remains a priority for Dorset Police."

Bournemouth Crown Court heard that Hack's fingerprints were found during a forensic examination of Hussein Tourh's home in November 2006.

Hack was arrested in February 2007 in Bournemouth town centre, in possession of more than 1,000 ecstasy pills and steroids.

A search of his home revealed the extent of his dealing.

Diaries and notebooks found at Hack and Tourh's addresses contained a coded list of dealers and were linked to each other by an expert.

Hack and Tourh were linked to each other forensically, and to drugs and property found at both addresses.

Tourh, 24, of Ashford Road, Boscombe East, denied all charges but was found guilty of conspiracy to supply drugs, possession of £800,000 worth of cocaine and possession of criminal property, namely £1.78 million in cash following a trial in November and December of last year.

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE Daily Echo is supporting Dorset Police's Operation Dismantle campaign. We are calling on our readers to help rid the streets of drugs and call in with any information about drug dealers in our community. Your call will be dealt with in confidence. Please call Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

4:10pm Sunday 27th January 2008

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