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Wolverhampton drug baron found guilty

[gallery] A father has been found guilty of leading a drug dealing gang that sold cocaine on the streets of Wolverhampton, funding a luxury lifestyle of flash cars and a villa abroad.

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Brendan Durnin owned a £216,000 villa in Cyprus, a £72,500 holiday lodge in Wales and a £52,000 BMW X5.

The 49-year-old had claimed his wealth stemmed from a booming car valeting business but a jury rejected his story.

He now faces a lengthy jail sentence while police are pursuing a proceeds of crime case to strip him of all of his assets.

Durnin's former partner Nikki Walsh, her 22-year-old son Kyle Walsh and their nextdoor neighbour Stuart Whyman had already pleaded guilty for their part in the drugs conspiracy.

During Durnin's trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, jurors were told that cocaine worth £22,000 was discovered in a Sainsbury's carrier bag when police raided Walsh's home in Shawbury Road, Park Village.

The court was told that officers placed a recording device in the Walsh's home.

Giving evidence in the trial, Nikki Walsh, 42, told jurors that Durnin, of Griffiths Drive, Ashmore Park, delivered the drugs to her home in the days before the police raid and "forced" her to wrap them.

Durnin had denied conspiracy to supply drugs between January 2010 and May 2012. He will be sentenced on Monday while the Walsh's and Whyman will be sentenced at a later date.

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