Two men have been jailed for a combined total of more than seven years after being caught supplying class A drugs in Reading.
Following an investigation by the Reading Proactive Team, Michael Shackleford, 39, of Portman Road, was sentenced to four years and two months in prison.
Scott Barnes, 38, of Basingstoke Road, was jailed for three years and four months.
Both were sentenced at Reading Crown Court on 17 February. The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of drugs, mobile phones, a weapon and £110 in cash.
Shackleford had earlier pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, acquiring criminal property and possession of a bladed article in a public place at a hearing on 3 October 2025.
In a separate hearing on 16 January, Barnes admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, as well as acquiring criminal property.
The court heard that on 2 October last year, officers observed suspicious behaviour in Rodney Court. A grey Nissan Juke arrived and the front-seat passenger, later identified as Shackleford, was seen carrying out what police believed to be a hand-to-hand drug deal. Barnes was identified as the driver.
After officers followed the vehicle, Shackleford got out at a red light on London Street and tried to walk away carrying a blue coat. He was seen discarding the coat and a mobile phone before being detained.
Inside the coat, officers found bags of crack cocaine and heroin. Shackleford admitted he was carrying a Stanley knife and was arrested. Further drugs and two additional phones – one containing drug-related marketing messages – were also recovered.
Barnes was later stopped in the Nissan Juke on South Street, where officers found several wraps of crack cocaine in the vehicle. A Samsung phone containing further evidence of drug supply was seized.
Searches of linked properties uncovered digital scales and more crack cocaine. In total, the class A drugs seized had an estimated street value of about £1,210.
PC Ash Coker, of the Reading Proactive Team, said officers had acted swiftly.
“Our vigilant officers observed a suspected drug deal taking place in October last year, and we arrested both Shackleford and Barnes on the same day, charging them within 24 hours,” he said.
“We will continue to target those who seek to deal drugs in Reading, and we rely on intelligence from the public to help us in this ongoing work.”
Anyone with information about drug supply can call 101 or report online. Anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
