An exposé in The Argus found that it can take as little as 26 minutes to find and buy heroin on the streets of Hove.

Reporter Andy Whelan, from the Brighton-based daily, carried out an investigation in the wake of a dozen deaths from deadly doses of the drug in the city so far this year.

He picked up a potentially lethal batch on busy streets in daylight in only a matter of minutes, paying a man £15 for a tightly wrapped ball of a drug he took out of his mouth.

The transaction was carried out in a doorway in clear view of passers-by.

The dealer then said he plied his trade on the same spot every day and would offer a second wrap for half price.

He then said the drugs could also be smoked if the reporter preferred to do that rather than injecting himself with them.

As the deal was being done, other addicts waited nearby in the hope of attracting the attention of a dealer.

Sussex Police declined to comment on the paper’s investigation after the drugs were handed over to them.

In his article, Andy described the process of locating the drug.

When he asked the dealer if he knew where he could score some ‘brown’ – street slang for heroin – the dealer said: “There’s a drought on at the moment.

“I’ve only got this so I’m going to have to charge you £15. I was offered a score (£20) for it ten minutes ago.

“The police have really cracked down on it and it’s hard to get hold of good heroin.

“I’m here every day so just come looking for me. I’ll give you the next wrap for £7.50.”

On being asked whether the drugs were of high quality, he replied: “Yeah, I had it myself. I only get good stuff.”

The exposé followed the death of 22-year-old Sam Nolan and her mother’s fears that Brighton’s streets are becoming saturated with heroin. MPs, councillors, anti-substance campaigners and the parents of drug victims spoke of their horror of the obvious presence of dealers.

They spoke of their shock after learning of the ease with which The Argus was able to buy drugs.

Comments

Ycnan (15/04/2008 23:38:32)
so the cop’s get it moved off of one corner,the jugglers and dealers will shut down shop there and open it up somewhere else.Herion is here to stay,i’s not going anywhere.