Drugs gang get 80 years in jail

Eighteen members of a major drugs gang, including the ringleaders and a mother-of-seven, were today beginning jail sentences totalling more than 80 years.

The gang was involved in a plot to supply Class A drugs and cannabis to people in the Telford and Shrewsbury areas for almost a year.

They ran the Phoenix Car Centre in Shrewsbury, which was used as a front by the drugs network and was the subject of both video and audio surveillance during a lengthy West Mercia Police investigation.

At Stafford Crown Court yesterday ringleaders Jonathan Rochford and Scott Dodd were sentenced to eight and 10 years respectively.

Cage fighter Lee Stevens, celebrated in the press for his charity fundraising efforts, was jailed for 56 months after the court heard of his involvement in cutting and weighing the drugs for distribution.

Deborah Northwood, 42, was today starting a two-and-a-half year jail term.

Passing sentence Judge Michael Chambers QC said Rochford and Dodd had played a leading role in a large and sophisticated commercial operation carried out with ruthless determination. He said all the defendants had been involved in an evil and pernicious trade for personal gain.

Police said the gang was motivated by greed and were prepared to use violence to protect the operation, he said.

For two pages of background reports, see today's Shropshire Star

Cocaine and heroin of high purity was obtained from various parts of the country and diluted and bulked out to sell on the streets to secure greater profits.

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Drugs gang get 80 years in jail