Eighteen sentenced for drugs offences in Shropshire
Eighteen people were sentenced for a variety of drugs offences – including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs – over the past two days at Stafford Crown Court as a result of a police operation in Shropshire.
More than 80 police officers were involved in Operation Active over a number of months and the work resulted in the arrests of a number of identified targets over a three day period in May 2012.
Speaking earlier today, Detective Chief Inspector Jason Wells gave his reaction after seeing the 17 men and a woman sentenced.
DCI Wells, from the police command team in Telford, said:
“We are very pleased with the sentences handed out at Stafford Crown Court over the past couple of days and it’s particularly satisfying that a large number of the individuals involved in this drug supply network will now be off the streets of Telford and Shropshire for some time.
“Operation Active was a large scale, covert operation launched with the aim of tackling organised criminals who were working together to traffic drugs into this area. This group supplied drugs across the Shropshire area for a significant period of time and sought to hide this criminality behind a second hand car business.
“They were motivated by greed and preyed on some of the most vulnerable members of our communities and were prepared to use violence to protect their market share. The group also went to great lengths to try and frustrate any police investigation.
“We are pleased the investigation has resulted in so many convictions and I’d like to thank the investigating team for their outstanding dedication and commitment in bringing these offenders to justice. I would also like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service for their contribution in bringing this complex investigation to a satisfactory conclusion.
“This really was a great example of a force led, SOCU (Serious and Organised Crime Unit) operation being excellently supported by many other departments from across West Mercia.
"As well as seeing a significant number of people handed combined prison sentences of more than 80 years, almost half a million pounds worth of drugs was seized - along with nearly £50,000 in cash – as a result of Operation Active and therefore there is no doubt the operation has been a huge success. Investigations continue into the identification of assets accumulated by the defendants and we shall seek deprive individuals of those assets where appropriate.
"I hope that this sends out a clear message that targeting those people involved in the illicit supply of drugs will always remain a priority for West Mercia Police.
“So much criminality can be linked back to drugs that it is absolutely vital we do all we can to bring those involved in supplying and dealing drugs to justice.
"Anyone with information or concerns about drugs in Telford or Shropshire is asked to call the police on 101 or 0300 333 3000. Alternatively, please remember that Crimestoppers can also be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you'd rather leave information without getting directly involved yourself."
David Rouse, Special Casework Lawyer from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service’s Complex Casework Unit said:
“These defendants were professional career criminals who set out to traffic dangerous drugs for one reason only, which was to make a great deal of money for themselves. In order to achieve this, they paid little regard for the misery and suffering which they caused by making those drugs available to those who consumed them or their families.
“We will now look to deprive them of the proceeds of their drug trafficking by applying for a Court Order to confiscate their ill-gotten gains.
“This prosecution sends a powerful signal that trading in illegal drugs does not pay, and criminality of this nature can and will be dealt with robustly.”
