Jailed: Final five from huge drug and money laundering operation sentenced
A Wolverhampton woman was one of five people jailed today for their roles in a huge drug and money laundering conspiracy.
Courtney Hamilton, aged 40, from Trysull Road, was sentenced to eight years in prison for supplying heroin and cocaine and laundering money. She was sentenced alongside four others at Birmingham Crown Court today.
The group were the final five of more than 50 gang members who have been charged for their role in the major Telford-based drug operation.
Courtney Hamilton, 40, of Trysull Road, Wolverhampton. Convicted of money laundering and supplying cocaine and heroin. Sentenced to eight years in prison.
Garfield Paul Patterson, 48, of Burford, Brookside, Telford. Convicted of money laundering and supplying cocaine and heroin. Sentenced to nine years in prison.
Sharon Anne Campbell, 43, of Burford, Brookside, Telford. Convicted of money laundering and supplying cocaine and heroin. Sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Gemma Buxton, 30, of Malcolm Davies Drive, Telford. Convicted of money laundering. Sentenced to eighteen months in prison.
Sukesh Kumar Shemar, 40, of Turreff Avenue, Telford. Convicted of money laundering. Sentenced to eighteen months in prison, suspended for two years and 150 hours of community service.
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 investigation, known as Operation Sift, consisted of two major arrest phases with a total of 59 suspects arrested and charged.
The five defendants convicted today laundered money in the region of £250,000 and combined with those who were previously sentenced 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."
