Man jailed for running Telford drugs line after being released from prison

Esten Bennett, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs - crack cocaine at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Tuesday, 9 April.

During the hearing, the court was told how on Wednesday, 4 March, officers were carrying out a plain clothes patrol near Constitutional Hill in Wellington when they saw the 32-year-old enter an address. 

Bennett was then seen to leave a short time later in a vehicle. Officers followed Bennett who was stopped at Hadley Park Services, where he was arrested. A search of the vehicle found a wrap of class A drugs, £170 in cash and a mobile phone linked to a drugs line.

Further enquiries were able to link Bennett to the line that had been set up on Tuesday 13 January, the day he was released from prison. 

During the seven weeks the line was active, it was responsible for supplying drugs across Telford and Wales, and is estimated to have sold around 200 grams.

Bennett was jailed for five years and eight months at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday, Wednesday 8 April.

Detective Sergeant Andy Pond said: “Bennett showed a clear determination to return to criminality, setting up a drugs line on the day he was released from prison. 

"His actions fuelled the supply of harmful class A drugs across Telford and beyond, and this sentence reflects the seriousness of that offending. 

"We remain committed to disrupting drugs networks and bringing those responsible before the courts. This case demonstrates that offenders who persist in causing harm to our communities will be identified, arrested and dealt with robustly.”