'Complex drug operation' uncovered after Dudley raid

Anthony Williams, of Yarwell Close, Springfields, was hiding out at flat in Abberley Court, Dudley, on February 12 when police knocked on the door.

Five grams of heroin, 3.35 grams of crack cocaine, as well as five grams of crack cocaine in 'wraps' was found, as well as 165 grams of cutting agent.

Electronic scales and a knife with traces of cocaine and heroin on them were also discovered, as well as four mobile phones.

Mr Richard Franck, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court that police had been looking for Williams over a different matter, which he is currently serving a four-year prison sentence for.

After a 'short struggle' police handcuffed the 32-year-old, and when searching the flat discovered about £1000 of heroin and crack cocaine.

Mr Franck said during the search Liam Gray, aged 18, arrived home and while he accepted the drugs had been found at his flat he denied they were his.

Two days later police pulled over a car which Victoria Smith, aged 35, of High Street, Stourbridge, and Gray were travelling in.

Behind the driver's seat police found 13 wraps of crack cocaine and 28 of heroin, worth about £410, and the pair were arrested for possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

A further search of Gray's flat found another 1.5 grams of crack cocaine and half a gram of heroin.

Mr Franck said it was a 'complex operation' with a substantial number of mixing agents and paraphernalia, and the pair were 'clearly street dealing' on February 14.

Judge Michael Challinor said Williams' role was 'on the borderline of significant', and sentenced him to 18 months' jail for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, to be served consecutively with his current sentence.

Gray, now living in Wednesfield Road, Wednesfield, was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders facility for possession with intent to supply, and six months to be served concurrently for allowing his premises to be used for the operation.

Mr Ekwall Tiwana, defending, said Williams had been 'on the run from police'.

He said: "His drug dealer said he could stay at his place for a few days in return for guarding the drugs. He had got addicted to drugs again whilst on the run and was being paid, effectively, in drugs."

Williams did not say Gray was his dealer, the court heard.

When sentencing Smith, Judge Challinor said: "It seems to me you were in a very difficult position when you were trafficking these drugs and you have since substantially rehabilitated yourself.

"It is in the public's best interest that you should continue with that."

She was sentenced to 18 months' jail for possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply, suspended for 12 months.