Handed Hefty Jail Term for Drug Supplying
Alan Brough, Dwayne Jackson, Adam Spencer, Scott Reed, Antonio Gambone, Shaun Davidson-King, Lee Dwight, Michael O’Keefe, Shane Dhanda and Adam Walker.
The first raids took place at the end of September last year where 300 officers swooped on 15 addresses to begin the arrest phase of the operation.
The dedicated arrest days continued through October as others were charged and appeared before court.
In January, 23 men, one woman and one youth were sentenced after pleading guilty to class A drug dealing − they received jail sentences totalling over 50 years. Last month, seven men were jailed to a total of 21 years.
The aim of the Wolverhampton No Deal campaign was to continue to rid the area of street level drug dealing by not only targeting key individuals, but reducing the demand for drugs by signposting users to treatment.
The operation began two years ago as tensions grew in the city amongst local gangs and the city saw a spate of gun-related crime. Over the first 12 months, a dedicated team of officers – experienced in offender management − gathered all the intelligence together, worked to obtain gang injunctions as well as trying to divert offenders from gang lifestyles through a variety of measures.
Local police also engaged with schools and youth services to get the message out to as many young people as possible that taking drugs, dealing drugs and joining a gang is not the route to take.
But, the message is clear from police in Wolverhampton −efforts to curb drug dealing in the city will continue. Police have worked alongside partners in the city to divert people away from drugs such as drug advisory services and Probation.
Leading the operation, Chief Inspector Paul Drover is delighted with today’s final sentences but says the fight against drugs doesn’t end here: “We had a fantastic response from the people of Wolverhampton following No Deal, including increased community intelligence coming through to us and even firearms being handed in.
“We will continue to work with our partners to try to eradicate drugs from the city’s streets and help those individuals who wish to break their drug addiction.
“We are very aware that by taking action against a number of individuals, this opens the door to the next wave of dealers. We will continue to do everything we can to try to stop this happening and take action against those criminals. We need the public’s continued help and would encourage anyone with information about dealing or drug taking in their area to call us.
“I hope we have shown that we take all information very seriously and will act upon it.”
Anyone who may have information relating to drug dealing should contact their local officers on 101. Alternatively, anyone who does not wish to speak to police can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Nine were sentenced after admitting conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin:
Self employed Dwayne Jackson, aged 29, from Aston Court, Claverley was sentenced to eight year and eight months.
Unemployed Shaun Davidson-King, aged 30, from Valley Road, Park Village was sentenced to five years and eight months.
Lee Dwight, aged 33 from Ellerton Walk, Park Village, Shane Dhanda, aged 23, from Aston Road, Willenhall and Adam Walker, aged 27, from Hampton View, Heathtown are all unemployed and were sentenced to three years and four months each.
Antonio Gambone, aged 28 and unemployed from Myrtle Street, Parkfields, was sentenced to two years and eight months.
Unemployed Alan Brough, aged 29, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 12 months to run consecutively to a five year sentence he is already serving.
Adam Spencer, aged 29, from Long Knowle Lane, Wednesfield and 26-year-old Scott Reed from Stowheath Lane, East Park, both unemployed, were sentenced to 12 month community orders. Spencer was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work in the community and Reed to work 150 hours.
Driver Michael O’Keefe, aged 29, from Priory Road, Dudley was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs following a trial and was sentenced to four and a half years.
