Drugs gang smashed after two-year probe

A major West Midland gang which dealt in drugs nationwide using highly sophisticated methods to go undetected has been smashed, it can be revealed today.

Twenty-three members of the vast network, including criminals from Dudley, Walsall, Stourbridge and Staffordshire, have now been sentenced for the huge operation.

A two-year investigation revealed that the gang dealt nationwide in cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy, heroin and cannabis, carrying out their transactions with detailed planning.

On one occasion drugs were stashed in a hollowed-out loaf of bread.

Police also recovered drugs from extractor fans above cookers, and they seized equipment used for the production of drugs.

There were also cannabis factories operating within the gang's network.

Police said the gang was headed by Terry Gardner, who organised the group with "sophisticated planning" to avoid detection.

But the covert police investigation, Operation Variation, began in April 2009 and culminated yesterday when the last three gang members were sentenced.

Detectives have seized more than £80,000 in cash and restrained £400,000 worth of assets, pending financial investigation.

Officers have also recovered class A drugs with an estimated street value of £30,000, and class C drugs worth about £150,000.

Det Insp Bob Bradford, from West Midlands Police, said: "These offenders used very sophisticated methods to transport drugs from one place to another. They were also very organised in how they went about their drug dealing activities.

"The conviction of 23 offenders is a significant achievement. An entire organised crime group has been dismantled and removed from our communities.

"They were intent on making money through the distribution of substances which would go on to cause misery amongst those most vulnerable."

Neil Fielding, of the West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, added: "Drug gangs like this one blight communities. Drug dealers have complete disregard for the suffering they cause."

This prosecution disrupted a whole range of criminal behaviour in the West Midlands, he added.

These are the West Midland criminals who were among the 23 from around the country jailed for their role in the drugs gang

* Andrew Hayes, aged 53 and from Sheldon, Michelle Hornblow, 32, and from Yardley and Richard Boothman, aged 24, and from Solihull were sentenced to seven years, three years, and six years for conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

* Gang leader Terry Gardner, aged 27, and from Kitts Green, was jailed for 10 years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

* Richard Slater, aged 30, from Darlaston was jailed for four years for conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

* Neil Parkes, aged 29, from Cannock was jailed for two years for conspiracy to supply class C drugs.

* Darren Floyd, aged 30, from Stourbridge was jailed for 21 months for conspiracy to supply class C drugs.

* Carlton Silvera, aged 36, from Birmingham, was sentenced to seven years for conspiracy to supply class A, B and C drugs and possession of drugs.

* Lee Campbell, aged 26, from Sheldon, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for conspiracy to supply class B drugs.

* Mohammed Khan, aged 42, from Aston, was jailed for six years and three months imprisonment for conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

* Jason Coughlan, aged 34, from Yardley was sentenced to three-and-a-half years for being concerned in the supply of class B drugs and dangerous driving.

* Steven Gardner, aged 55, from Kitts Green, was handed a suspended sentence and ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work for being concerned in the production of class B drugs.

* Kieron Logan, aged 27, from Pelsall, was sentenced to four years and 10 months for conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and possession of class A drugs.

* Jay Byrne, aged 28, from Erdington was sentenced to four years and 10 months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of class B drugs.

* Mark Cleaver, aged 34, from Ladywood was jailed for two-and-a-half years for possession with intent to supply.