Undercover police officers foil string of drug networks
A motability car for the disabled was used as a drugs delivery service by dealers who were among criminals today beginning lengthy prison sentences following an undercover operation by police in Walsall.
A motability car for the disabled was used as a drugs delivery service by dealers who were among criminals today beginning lengthy prison sentences following an undercover operation by police in Walsall.
Dealers operating in separate groups were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court after evidence was gathered against them by covert officers, who called themselves Jo and Maddie, between September last year and March.
Click on the picture on the right to see more pictures.
Miss Emma Cutts, prosecuting, said the officers bought heroin and crack cocaine from dealers in Walsall town centre as part of operation Cream Soda.
She said: "It became apparent no single supplier owned the town. Various networks would use different locations."
The court heard how married couple Peter and Margaret Williamson, and their son James Williamson, used a service road in Newport Street as a meeting point for drug deals – and Margaret's specially adapted car for use by the disabled was used as the transport.
They each admitted conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine between November 10, 2010 and March 24, 2011.
In mitigation for James Williamson, Mr Andrew Jackson said he had been a drug user for years and recognised he had to change. The court was told that his parents became involved because they thought they were helping their son.
Mr Tariq Shakoor, mitigating for Peter Williamson, said he had driven his son to the deals but had not instigated it.
Ms Raj Punia, for Margaret, added: "She was very candid about what was happening. She realises her life and that of her family has been destroyed." James spat in the dock as was given a six year jail sentence, while his father was given four and his mother three.
Sentencing them, Judge Pat Thomas QC, said: "The three of you operated a drugs delivery service. When people asked for them you didn't hesitate."
The court also heard that Rajinder Dnoa used his Nissan car to transport drugs and arranged to meet the undercover officers near the Wheatsheaf pub in Birmingham Road, which is also near Blue Coat CE Comprehensive School.
Miss Cutts said schoolchildren had been playing nearby when the deals were made.
When Dnoa's home in Shelton Close, Wednesbury, was searched following his arrest on March 24, police recovered more than £18,000 cash and a proceeds of crime hearing is set to go ahead in September. Dnoa admitted three counts of supplying heroin between January 11 and 13 this year.
In mitigation, Mr Osama Daneshyar said Dnoa was a drug addict and regretted letting his mother down, who suffers with dementia.
Judge Thomas, sentencing him to eight years in prison, told him: "You dealt from choice just outside a school and the public will be revolted by the notion that this sort of trade takes place under the eyes of their children." Dnoa was also disqualified from holding a driving licence for six years. The court also heard Rory Allen, Raymond Clarke and Asif Jhangeer operated their drug enterprise from Coral betting shop in Bradford Street.
They dealt to the officers and dropped the wraps on the window ledge of the bookmakers. Allen admitted seven counts of supplying crack cocaine, one of supplying heroin and one of offering to supply heroin between October 25 and December 14 last year. Clarke admitted supplying heroin and crack cocaine and two counts of offering to supply heroin between October 26 and November 3. Jhangeer admitted five counts of supplying crack cocaine and one of heroin between November 3 and December 7.
In mitigation for Allen, Mr Christopher Loach said Allen had a troubled start in life.
Mr Mohammed Naser, for Clarke, said he had been paid in drugs, and mitigating for Jhangeer, Mr Timothy Jacques said he had done it to fund an alcohol habit.
Allen was jailed for five years, Clarke for two-and-a-half and Jhangeer was locked up for three years.
Defendants dealt with at Birmingham Crown Court
Charles Ukbong, aged 31, of Birmingham Road, Walsall, admitted seven counts of supplying crack cocaine and one of possession between October and March.
Simon Saubana, 33, of Halford Crescent, Coalpool, admitted three counts of supplying crack cocaine.
Gilless Mafuta, 22, of Pioli Place, Birchills, admitted supplying crack cocaine on October 7 and 21 last year.
Imran Wall, 25, of Bradford Street, Walsall, admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin. He also pleaded guilty to supplying heroin and possessing the same drug.
Dominic Ali, 20, of Mill Lane, Butts, admitted conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.
Kieran Weller, 19, of Herberts Park Road, Darlaston, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine between January and March.
Duane Robinson, 27, of Rowlands Avenue, Bentley, admitted supplying heroin and four charges of supplying crack cocaine.
Craig Neary, 38, of no fixed abode, admitted three counts of supplying heroin.
Tina Bagnall, 45, of Poplar Close, Bentley, admitted being concerned with the supply of crack cocaine, supplying heroin and crack cocaine, and offering to supply heroin.
Craig Newitt, 31, of Willenhall Road, Bilston, admitted supplying heroin.
Asif Jhangeer, 31, of Wolverhampton Road West, Bentley, received a three-year prison term after he admitted five counts of supplying crack cocaine and one of heroin.
Rory Allen, 23, of Greadier Street, Willenhall, was locked up for five years. He admitted seven counts of supplying crack cocaine, one of supplying heroin and one of offering to supply heroin.
Raymond Clarke, 24, of Hawbush Road, Leamore, was jailed for two-and-a-half years after admitting supplying heroin and crack cocaine and two counts of offering to supply heroin.
David Robb-Walters, 22, of Eyland Grove, Walsall, admitted two counts of supplying crack cocaine.
Rajinder Dnoa, 42, of Shelton Close, Wednesbury, was sentenced to eight years after admitting three counts of supplying heroin in January this year.
Peter Williamson, 52, of Cobden Street, Delves, jailed for four years after admitting to conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine between November and March.
Margaret Williamson, 53, of Cobden Street, Delves, was given a three year prison term after pleading guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
James Williamson, 31, of no fixed abode, was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
Dean Taylor, 23, of Drayton Street, Alumwell, admitted two charges of supplying crack cocaine.
Gavin Hutchings, 33, of Wednesbury Road, Pleck, admitted supplying heroin.
Five men awaiting sentencing on drugs
Five men were being sentenced today in connection with drug dealing in Walsall while a further eight people will be dealt with at a later date.
Charles Ukbong dealt drugs outside Paddy Power Bookmakers, market stalls and at bus stops. He admitted seven counts of supplying crack cocaine and one of possessing the drug between October 5 and March 23. Craig Newitt admitted supplying heroin on January 6, 12 and 18 and Miss Cutts said he used different locations.
She said he had been employed by Safestyle UK and on one occasion had dealt drugs from his company car. David Robb-Walters, who admitted two counts of supplying crack cocaine between October 13 and December 1, and Simon Saubana, who admitted three counts of supplying crack cocaine from October 13 to December 7, dealt drugs near the Starting Gate pub, or outside Coral betting shop. Gavin Hutchings also appeared, after admitting supplying heroin on December 8 and 15.
