59 gang members convicted for their part in huge Telford drug conspiracy
A total of 59 gang members have been convicted for their part in a huge Telford drug conspiracy and will serve over 200 years behind bars in total - with the final five being sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court today.
During a long term investigation by the Serious Organised Crime Unit the individuals were charged with a wide range of offences linked to conspiracy to supply heroin, crack cocaine and other controlled drugs, conspiracy to steal and money laundering.
The operation, known as Operation Sift, consisted of two major arrest phases with over 50 suspects arrested and charged.
CCTV evidence which shows the defendants supplying class A drugs was collated and shown to the court.
In the final court hearing held at Birmingham Crown Court today the final five defendants were sentenced:
Garfield Paul Patterson, 48, of Burford, Brookside, Telford was convicted of money laundering and supplying cocaine and heroin. He was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Sharon Anne Campbell, 43, of Burford, Brookside, Telford was convicted of money laundering and supplying cocaine and heroin. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Courtney Hamilton, 40, of Trysull Road in Wolverhampton was convicted of money laundering and supplying cocaine and heroin. She was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Gemma Buxton, 30, of Malcolm Davies Drive, Telford was convicted of money laundering. She was sentenced to eighteen months in prison.
Sukesh Kumar Shemar, 40, of Turreff Avenue, Telford was convicted of money laundering. He was sentenced to eighteen months in prison, suspended for two years and 150 hours of community service.
The five defendants laundered money in the region of a £250,000.
In total along with those who were sentenced previously, the organised crime gang will serve more than 200 years in prison.
Detective Inspector Gavin Kinrade said: "Today's sentencing concludes a complex investigation into a large number of individuals. We are pleased with the result, and would like to thank the investigation team who worked tirelessly over a period of around nine months to bring the defendants to justice.
"We are committed to protecting our communities from harm, and by putting an end to sophisticated operations like these, we are preventing criminals from targeting vulnerable members of our society."
