Runner claimed £40,000 drug debt drove him to carry out “hundreds of deals”

A 28-year-old drug runner who told police he had carried out “hundreds of deals” to repay a debt of up to £40,000 has been jailed for seven years after officers uncovered more than £33,000 worth of cocaine and MDMA at his home.

Hugo Miguel Dos Santos was sentenced in the Royal Court on Wednesday morning.

Police executed a drugs warrant at his home on 6 February, where they found what they described as a “commercial” quantity of Class A drugs.

The drugs had an estimated street value of £33,000, officers said.

During interview, Dos Santos admitted he had been acting as a “runner” for another dealer after falling into debt when a quantity of drugs he had been selling was stolen in 2025. He told officers he owed between £30,000 and £40,000 and believed selling the drugs found at his home would clear the debt. 

He also admitted “bashing” cocaine with creatine to increase the amount available for sale and said he used social media to advertise drugs.

Police later found messages and payments consistent with cocaine and MDMA dealing. 

Court documents show Dos Santos accepted he had completed “hundreds of deals” before his arrest. 

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Alasdair Castle said the case demonstrated the force’s commitment to targeting those involved in the supply of Class A drugs.

“The Drug Squad are committed to putting those responsible for supplying hard drugs before the courts to protect our community from the serious harm they can cause,” he said.