Two armed drug dealers running a “successful business” selling crack cocaine and heroin in Wolverhampton were beginning lengthy jail sentences today.

Highfield was jailed for eight-and-a-half years at Wolverhampton Crown Court while Simpson was given four-and-a-half years.

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Acting on intelligence, police watched as Simpson would leave Highfield’s house in Bushbury and sell drugs to people nearby.

Police also raided Highfield’s Emerson Grove home and uncovered the handgun.

A CS gas canister, butterfly knife, meat cleaver, and a plastic bag with five wraps of heroin worth almost £550 were also found. Officers uncovered a set of scales for measuring small quantities of drugs, and £2,355 in cash.

Police also searched Simpson’s House on nearby Wordsworth Road. Drugs, scales, a knuckle duster and three knives were found.

Mr John Attwood, prosecuting yesterday, said: “This was an intelligence-led police operation. It revealed that Highfield and Simpson were running a successful business dealing in class A drugs.”

Both men were convicted of possession of the gun and ammunition, possession of cocaine and heroin with intent to supply and money laundering offences.