Jail for pair caught in biggest Wolverhampton blitz on drugs
Two dealers who were caught as part of the biggest blitz on drugs and gangs in Wolverhampton's history have been jailed.
Scott Crutchley and Lorette Davies were arrested after police carried out raids on homes across the city in a blitz on criminal activity known as Operation No Deal.
The pair are the first to be sentenced as a result of the crackdown. Sentencing on numerous other criminals arrested in No Deal takes place next week.
Miss Jennifer Josephs, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court that police came across Crutchley as they monitored a gang leader named as Dwayne Jackson.
Jackson drove to Crutchley's address on Dickinson Avenue and beeped his horn at around 9.05am on November 9, 2012.
She said: "A man came out of the house and got into Jackson's car, but just for a short period of time. The police believed some exchange must have taken place, because he soon got out and Jackson drove away."
When police raided the house later, 42-year-old Crutchley threw something from an upstairs window.
She added: "When police entered the house they found Crutchley near the window, and in the garden a plastic bag containing 22.1 grams of crack cocaine."
Miss Josephs said the drugs were said to be worth £1,580. In the house they also found two sets of scales, 3.9 grams of heroin in a plastic bag, and around £250 worth of cash.
In police interview he said that he was a drug addict who used crack cocaine.
Jackson's number was stored on Crutchley's phone and text messages between the pair suggested drug deals had taken place.
Crutchley admitted possessing crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply and possessing cannabis.
Michael Anning, defending Crutchley, told the court that his client had a lesser role in the operation. He said: "The police came upon him whilst they were following other people involved.
He had no idea of the extent of the drugs operation."
The court was also told that Davies was a former partner of Jackson and the mother of his child and that he had been spotted at her home in Ellerton Walk, Park Village, during the undercover operation.
A police raid on her home found a large amount of class A drugs and cannabis worth around £7,000, and £4,000 in cash.
The 29-year-old was found guilty of of conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis.
Mr Jon Roe, defending Davies told the court that she was influenced by her former partner, and there was no suggestion that she was actually doing any dealing.
Davies was jailed for two years and Crutchley for three years and five months.
