Police have brought down a County Lines gang which peddled crack cocaine and heroin between Wolverhampton and Staffordshire.
Police acted on intelligence and crushed the Class A line – understood to be making thousands of pounds a month – after identifying various members of the illegal network.
The supply chain stemmed back to 2017 and officers also analysed phone records to prove how a leading member of the gang tried to coordinate the drugs supply while in prison.
After assessing their contacts, conversations, movements and other enquiries Police were able to link eight people to the conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
It led to the final member of the eight-strong gang being sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday (3 November).
In reflection of their level of involvement in the supply chain, and some for other offences, six of the gang were recently jailed for a combined 44 years and two others were handed suspended two year prison sentences.
The head of the supply network, Nya Graham-Shea, was found with a stash of drugs after he was the first to be arrested.
He then remained in contact with some of his associates involved in the Wolverhampton to Stoke-on-Trent line through illicit mobile phones while remanded in prison.
These were recovered after a search of his cell and the 23-year-old, of no fixed address, went on to admit his role in supplying Class A drugs and illegally having the phones.
He was also found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life following a separate and unconnected trial. He was jailed for a total of 17 years for all offences.
Tyrone Johnson, aged 24, of Malthouse Drive, Dudley, was also found with a revolver at his home following a separate firearms warrant last year.
He pleaded guilty to possession of a gun – along with being part of the previous drugs line – and was jailed for eight-and-a-half years for all offences.
For their involvement in the conspiracy to supply drugs; Troy Senior, 25, of Attwood Gardens, Wolverhampton, was jailed for five years and Reggie Salmon, 23, of Stourbridge Road, Dudley, for a year-and-a-half. They both pleaded guilty.
After a trial, Connor Chambers, 24, of Probert Road, Wolverhampton, was found guilty and jailed for seven years while Carl Stephenson, 21, of Roxby Gardens, Wolverhampton, was also convicted and jailed for five years.
Furthermore Daniella Griffiths, 22, of Bushbury Lane, Wolverhampton; and Leoni Vassell, 25, of Joan Street, Wolverhampton, each received suspended two year sentences.
Detective Constable Lee Price, of our Wolverhampton-based team tackling gangs, said: “This illegal drugs network saw relatively young men and women recruited to trade Class A drugs between Wolverhampton and Stoke-on-Trent.
“They probably thought they would make a living off easily earned money, but instead they have all got criminal records.
“We were able to identify through phone records and movements who was involved and shut down a significant operation.
“We know the impact drugs have on our communities and the associated crime they bring. We will always act on information we receive to tackle drugs and County Lines networks.”