A single print from a little finger found on a bag of cocaine has led to two Burton men being sentenced to a total of 11 years for drugs offences.
Officers from Staffordshire Police's Major Organised Crime Department had been observing the two men in the Tutbury area in August 2015, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.
Detectives were interested in Mohammed Rahouff, 37, and Jamil Hussain, 43, who both have connections to the Burton and Derby areas, the court was told.
On August 13, 2015, Rahouff was seen to arrive at the Railway Tavern in Tutbury, in a taxi, leaving the vehicle unattended on the pub car park.
The taxi was left unlocked and something was left in the front foot-well of the vehicle by a woman called Charlotte Riva. The taxi then drove off.
Shortly afterwards, the taxi was stopped and nine ounces of high purity cocaine with a street value of around £20,000 was discovered and a phone was also seized.
Rahouff was arrested for being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs, charged and remanded.
On September 16, 2015, forensics investigators reported a fingerprint found on the bag of cocaine was from Hussain. Officers arrested Hussain and Riva for being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Following the trial, Rahouff, of Belvedere Road, Burton, was sentenced to five years for conspiracy to supply class A controlled drugs (cocaine).
Hussain, of Burton Road, Branston, was sentenced to six years three months for conspiracy to supply cocaine and Riva, 30, of High Street, Tutbury, was sentenced to 19 months for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Detective Inspector Lesley Fowler, of Staffordshire Police , has welcomed the sentences. She said: "The team has worked hard to gather evidence and bring this case to court.
"We will not tolerate drug-dealing as it preys on the vulnerable in our communities. We hope this sends out a clear message that if you deal drugs in Staffordshire you will be sent to prison."
