Drug dealer arrested after leaving handbag full of heroin and cocaine in supermarket

A drug dealer arrested by police after accidentally leaving a handbag full of heroin and cocaine in a Nottingham supermarket has been jailed.

Shantae Duporte, 20, had up to £2,000 worth of drugs hidden in a handbag she left in a shop in Hyson Green on the afternoon of February 10 last year, Nottinghamshire Police said.

Store security staff found the handbag, examined its contents and then contacted police.

Officers were already on scene when a woman approached the security office to try to retrieve it around 5:45 p.m.

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Police quickly discovered the woman’s identity: Duporte, a woman known for storing drugs for other traffickers.

She had hidden the drugs in another woman’s handbag, allegedly without her knowledge.

Officers searched Duporte’s home and seized items consistent with drug supply, including digital scales, vending bags and a telephone.

The 20-year-old was later summoned to court, charged with possession for sale of cocaine and heroin.

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She pleaded guilty to the offences on November 17 and was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Derby Crown Court on Thursday.

Constable Mark Tindall said: “While there are some humorous elements to this incident, it could have been extremely serious if the heroin and cocaine had been found by a child, for example.

“Drug dealing is taken very seriously and it is something we want to completely eradicate in Nottinghamshire.

“I would like to thank everyone who responded to our inquiries, which allowed us to remove another dealer from the supply chain.

“We will continue our work to combat drug trafficking and welcome any information from the public on this issue. Please call us on 101.”

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