Redditch drug ring jailed

By Connie Osborne 02/08 Updated: 02/08 16:54

Buy photos » Martin Sadler

SIX MEN have been jailed for dealing cocaine worth up to £75,000 in Redditch.

Worcester Crown Court heard how the men were all seen taking part in a drugs deal at the Mayfly pub in Greenlands on June 3 this year. Police later seized half a kilo of the Class A drug, which was discovered in a car belonging to one of the men, estimated to have a street value of between £50,000 and £75,000.

All six men were later arrested at different locations and were sentenced on Wednesday (August 1) for their involvement in the supply of cocaine in Redditch.

Kristoffer Bell, aged 32 and from Evesham Road, was identified by West Mercia Police as the ringleader of the gang and a 'main player' in the supply of Class A drugs in Redditch. He received a seven and a half year jail sentence and had only been released from prison in February after serving time for similar drug offences.

Paul Malpass, aged 36, and of Highview Drive, in Kingswinford, was sentenced to six years in prison, while Martin Sadler, aged 30, and from Cecil Drive, Oldbury, was given a four and a half year jail term.

Craig Davies, aged 24, and from Standhills Road, Kingswinford, and Darren Jones, aged 34, and of Bells Lane, Stourbridge were both sentenced to four years behind bars, while Liam Pitt, aged 19, and of Ostler Close, Kingswinford, received a two year sentence for his role as the driver.

All had previously admitted conspiring with others to supply class A drugs apart from Malpass who denied the same charge but was found guilty following a trial in February this year.

Det Sgt Andy Bailey said: "We are dedicated to tackling serious and organised crime within our communities. Drug trafficking at all levels is taken extremely seriously and those engaged in this activity should expect to be targeted and prosecuted.

"Such offending has a serious impact on our communities in many ways and goes beyond the production and supply of the drugs themselves. The associated crime which is committed to enable users to fund their habit affects everyone.

"Today's sentencing should send a very clear message to those responsible for this type of crime that when caught they can expect to receive robust prison sentences. We are all a lot safer with these men behind bars, which is where they deserve to be."

Police are now seeking to identify the criminal assets obtained by the gang through drugs trafficking and aim to confiscate them.