Officers acted ‘swiftly’ to search him after he was spotted near the city centre
Sophie Fagone Buscimese Trainee Reporter
17:59, 14 Mar 2026
Lenworth McLean, 44, has been jailed for four years.(Image: Derbyshire Constabulary)
A Derby drug dealer was caught with Class A drugs as well as more than £7,000 in ill-gotten money after being spotted by police near the city centre.
Lenworth McLean was spotted by officers speaking with a woman on steps which link Burton Road and Mount Carmel Street, close to Derby city centre, on Wednesday, January 28.
A search of his car led officers to discovering a wrap of cocaine.
A further search was conducted at a property linked to McLean in Abbey Street, during which officers discovered quantities of suspected heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis, more than £7,000 in cash and suspected drug paraphernalia.
He was arrested on suspicion of drug offences and admitted during a police interview that he had been dealing illegal substances.
The 44-year-old, of no fixed address, was charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine, possession of cannabis and being in possession of criminal property – namely £7,131.33.
He pleaded guilty to all charges and was jailed for four years at Derby Crown Court on Thursday, February 26.
The £7,111.33 in ill-gotten gains was also seized from him.
Officers who brought him to justice are part of Project Flex, which is using the Home Office’s ‘Clear Hold Build’ framework in order to disrupt serious organised crime, reclaim and rebuild affected neighbourhoods in an area running from St Peter’s Street down towards Rose Hill.
Inspector Anthony England, who is leading the project, said: “Thanks to community intelligence we knew McLean was someone of interest who we needed to keep an eye on.
“As a result, officers were able to observe his action and swiftly move in to search him, which ultimately led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment.
“This shows the value of acting on intelligence quickly in order to bring an offender to justice. I would urge anyone who suspects drug dealing in their community to please come forward and report this to us.”