West Midlands Police busted the heroin and crack cocaine network which was being run from Chester Street, Whitmore Reans, as part of Operation Eliminate - aimed at tackling drugs in communities.
Operation Eliminate is a long term approach to combating drugs in the city - and reducing the harm on communities - involving police, the City of Wolverhampton Council and other partners.
A covert camera was used to gather intelligence over a 6 month period and captured each of the 5 strong gang carrying out deals.
A series of pre planned raids were carried out in Chester Street last July and resulted in the arrests of the men over the next few days. They admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs between October 2015 and April 2016 and were sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday (20 January).
Kieron McIntosh, aged 28 and Marco Brooks, 24, both of Chester Street, were sentenced to 5 years and 9 months and 6 years in prison respectively. McIntosh also had a separate offence of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine.
Riccardo Brown, 26, of no fixed address, received a prison term of 8 years and 2 months which included 12 months for dangerous driving and taking a vehicle without consent.
Anthony Cameron, 28, of no fixed address, was ordered to serve 8 years and Fahd Talbi, 20, received 4 years and 2 months behind bars which included offences of possession of a knife and baton.
As part of Operation Eliminate, the council and its partners also secured partial closure orders for 5 properties on Chester Street amid concerns over drug use and drug dealing in the local area.
Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: "I welcome the tough sentences handed down by the court, which demonstrates how seriously the authorities take criminal activity and anti social behaviour and sends out a very clear message that drug dealing on our estates will not be tolerated.
"The council and its partners want to make our communities safer and better places to live by addressing the root causes of crime and anti social behaviour, and Operation Eliminate is a great example of agencies working together to tackle a serious problem which was blighting the lives of law abiding residents."
Sergeant David Stanley, from Wolverhampton Police, added: "We were able to crush a significant drugs network which was operating from Chester Street.
"We gathered enough evidence to carry out the raids and ensure successful court action against these men. We understand that communities don't want this activity on their doorstep and we have worked with our partners to tackle this issue.
"These sentences should help reassure the public we are committed to tackling drug related crime and associated anti social behaviour."
People are encouraged to report concerns about anti social behaviour to Wolverhampton's Anti Social Behaviour Team in confidence by emailing customer.services@wolverhampton.gov.uk or calling 01902 551188.
- released: MOnday 23 January, 2017