Sentencing for drugs suppliers (From Evesham Journal)

Sentencing for drugs suppliers

11:40am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News By James Connell

MORE than 30 people could be sentenced this week for conspiracy to supply class A drugs, including heroin and cocaine, onto Worcester’s streets.

The sentencing is expected to take place over three days at Worcester Crown Court following one of the largest police operations of its kind against drugs.

Operation Dorado, by West Mercia Police ’s serious organised crime unit, targeted the supply of dealers in Worcester by organised crime groups from the West Midlands.

A covert operation took place over several months to collect evidence, with 150 officers executing 35 warrants over two days in May in Worcester, Birmingham and the Black Country.

In total 28 people have already pleaded guilty and are due to be sentenced at the court from today until Thursday.

Four further defendants are due to enter a plea today and if they plead guilty, are all expected to be sentenced this week too.

Detective inspector Carl Moore, from the serious organised crime unit, said: “The unlawful supply of controlled drugs by organised gangs has a real impact on all our communities.

"The misuse of drugs is a factor in many other types of crime, for example burglary, and we’re determined to deal with those who seek to profit from this type of organised criminality.

“During this investigation we specifically targeted those organising the drug supply in order that we could have the biggest impact on those who profit the most.

"I hope the sentences handed out in court will serve as a real deterrent to others involved in the supply of controlled drugs.”

On Tuesday, May 29, 22 addresses were entered – 16 in the West Midlands area and a further six in Worcester – with further arrests and charges made in the following weeks.

The arrests were planned and executed with the support of officers from West Midlands Police and British Transport Police.