Jail term for drugs Mr Big

A Mr Big of the criminal underworld was behind bars this afternoon after being caught dealing drugs worth £16,000 on a Wolverhampton pub car park.

Colin Brown had struck a deal with a drugs runner on the car park of The Pilot pub in Aldersley but he was rumbled by undercover detectives who were watching.

Today at Wolverhampton Crown Court, the 29-year-old was jailed for nine months. Financial experts will now investigate Brown to determine how much he made from dealing drugs.

Police said Brown, previously of Kinfare Drive, Tettenhall Wood, and now of Layland Avenue, Merridale, was an "iconic" figure in the criminal underworld and flaunted his wealth in a £25,000 Range Rover.

Miss Kanwal Juss, prosecuting, told the court today that Brown met Jonathon Hodson outside the pub at 4.15pm on January 21.

As detectives looked on, Hodson placed a white carrier bag containing 1.62kg of amphetamines, also known as speed, on the passenger seat of Brown's car.

Hodson was found with £3,000 in cash given to him by Brown, said Miss Juss.

The pair were arrested and their homes searched. A further 2.45kg of the drug worth £24,500 was found at Hodson's home in Broad Acres, Coven.

Defending Brown, who pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply, Miss Sarah Hurd said: "He accepts he arranged for the amphetamines to be dropped and that he was the middle man in a chain."

Mr Earl Pinnock, for Hodson, said he admitted supplying and possessing drugs on the basis that he was a "custodian and courier" and only stood to pocket £100.

Hodson was given six months in jail, suspended for two years, and 250 hours of community service.