Two jailed following investigation into serious organised crime in Shropshire
Two people have been jailed following an investigation into serious organised crime in Shropshire.
Richard Musonza, 23 from Shrewsbury and Fiona Lockwood, 37 and from Telford appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court on 18 March 2019 and pleaded guilty to a number of offences including possession of drugs and firearms.
Richard Musonza was found guilty of possessing controlled drugs and possessing a firearm, he was sentenced to 4 years and 3 months in prison. Fiona Lockwood was found guilty of possessing controlled drugs with intent and handling stolen goods. She received a 32 month prison sentence.
On the Thursday 13 September 2017 officers from West Mercia Police wanted to stop a black VW Golf in Leegomery and once they activated their blue lights the vehicle stopped suddenly and the driver Fiona Lockwood tried to make an escape on foot. The rear passenger Richard Musonza tried to make off from one of the rear doors and started to run away in an attempt to flee the scene however he was quickly caught and detained. Upon searching Richard Class A drugs, crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis were found on him.
When officers started to run checks on the car it was noted that the VRM plate appeared glued over the top of the original plate. The VIN number was checked on the Golf and this came back as a positive match for a stolen motor vehicle from an address in Wolverhampton.
Along with drugs on Richard, a further quantity of Class A drugs was found in the back of the vehicle where Richard was sat. The drugs seized had a street value of £510 and also recovered were business cards offering the supply of controlled drugs and electronic scales showing traces of cocaine. A firearm and ammunition were found in the boot of the vehicle.
Sergeant Paul Smeilus said: "We are working hard to target serious and organised crime within Telford and Wrekin. Our priority is protecting our communities from those causing the most harm and, together with our partners, we will do all we can to reduce the impact of such crime. I hope this sends a message to all those involved in serious and organised crime that we are targeting them, and will continue to build on our successes."
The sentences come as West Mercia Police continues to crack down on serious and organised crime as part of its #Protect campaign.
