Wolverhampton drug dealer rumbled by ringing mobile phone

A drug dealer was caught out by police when his mobile phone wouldn't stop ringing after he was pulled over in Wolverhampton.

James Vallis' links to cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy supply were uncovered after his BMW was pulled over in Stafford Road last year.

In the boot of the 7 series, officers found a small bag of cannabis, two mobile phones and more than £1,000 in cash.

The 23 year old was arrested on suspicion of dealing cannabis, but while he was in custody the phones found in the car were constantly ringing - and messages revealed links to Class A drug dealing.

When police went to re-arrest Vallis last New Year's Eve, they found a haul of cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy and cash at his home in Newbridge Street, Whitmore Reans, as well as more drugs in his car.

An iPhone was also discovered during the search, but Vallis snatched it from officers and smashed it against a wall.

He was jailed for five years at Wolverhampton Crown Court last week.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine, one count of possession with intent to supply cannabis, two counts of possession with intent to supply ecstasy and two counts of possession with intent to supply ketamine.

Investigating officer Pc Nick Clarke, from the organised crime and gangs team at Wolverhampton police station, said: “When we first stopped Vallis he had one bag of cannabis.

"His offending began to escalate, but he tried to convince officers that he wasn’t dealing drugs.

“He also went to great lengths to try to destroy evidence when he broke the mobile phone found during a search of his home.

“Following diligent police work we were able to charge Vallis and also managed to seize a substantial amount of high value class A drugs.

"This sentencing should serve as a strong warning that drugs in our area will not be tolerated.”

Anyone with information about drug crime can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.