A DANGEROUS drugs gang has been taken off the streets of Malvern and has been sentenced to a total of 18 years in jail.
Four men and two boys pleaded guilty to drugs conspiracy charges and two to additional firearms offences.
Following a two-day trial at Hereford Crown Court, one of the youths was also found guilty of a firearms offence.
The men were arrested following raids on houses in Malvern and Birmingham last year when cash, scales, mobile phones, firearms, ammunition and significant amounts of Class A drugs – including heroin and crack cocaine – were seized.
Nathan Salmon, 28 of Beauchamp Road in Birmingham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin and to possession of ammunition.
He was sentenced to a total of nine years: conspiracy to supply heroin (seven years), conspiracy to supply crack cocaine (seven years concurrently) and possession of ammunition (two years consecutively).
Bilal Hussain, 19 of Barnesville Close in Birmingham, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis plus possession of ammunition and a revolver.
He was sentenced to a total of five years in a young offender’s institute: conspiracy to supply heroin (two years), conspiracy to supply crack cocaine (two years concurrently), possession of prohibited weapon (three years consecutively), possession of ammunition (two years concurrently) and conspiracy to supply cannabis (20 months concurrently).
Callum Foga, 25 from Norfolk Road in Erdington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to two years suspended for two years, plus 30 days rehabilitation and 200 hours community service.
Christopher Wilce, 31 from Tarrington near Ledbury, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to two years suspended for two years, plus 10 days rehabilitation and 100 hours community service.
A 16-year-old boy from Birmingham pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack, heroin, and cannabis and was sentenced to 24 months youth rehabilitation programme with an electronic curfew for three months between 8pm and 7am.
Another 16-year-old boy from Birmingham pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack, heroin, and cannabis and was additionally found guilty after a trial of possessing a prohibited weapon (revolver) was given a youth rehabilitation order and a three-month curfew.
Detective Chief Inspector Carl Moore said; “We are pleased with this result which is the culmination of many months investigation, working with colleagues across our region to tackle the problem of serious organised crime.
“West Mercia detectives and colleagues from neighbouring police forces worked together on this investigation as part of a national approach to tackling ‘County Lines’ crime whereby gangs travel from a large urban area to smaller locations to sell drugs.
“This gang operated out of Birmingham and Malvern, creating an environment of fear in areas of Malvern and coerced vulnerable people, including children, into involvement in drugs related crime.
“Thanks to the diligence of officers and other investigating staff as well as the support and cooperation of the local community, we have been able to reduce the availability of drugs and the threat ofdrug-relatedd violence in Malvern, and safeguarded more impressionable youngsters from getting involved in organised drug crime.
“I hope that this successful prosecution will encourage others who may have information regarding organised crime to come forward.”
Anyone who has information about a crime can call police on 101.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
