Drug dealer jailed after 'cuckooing' vulnerable woman’s home

A drug dealer who took over the home of a vulnerable woman in Tamworth to supply heroin and crack cocaine has been jailed.

Leo Connelly, 30, of Great Barr, Birmingham, was convicted of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A (heroin) and possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A (crack cocaine) and sentenced to six years in prison.

He was also given a concurrent sentence of one year for possessing criminal property.

Connelly was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday (16 May) following a trial in February where he was found guilty.

In August last year officers from our major and organised crime proactive teams searched a property in Stonydelph, Tamworth, following information that the ‘Tony’ drug line was being operated from the premises.

Connelly was inside the address and was arrested after officers searched him and found 146 deals of crack cocaine, 36 deals of heroin and £500 cash. Several mobile phones were also recovered and seized by officers.

Detective Sergeant Jon Bradbury, from the major and organised crime team, said: “The circumstances were consistent with the cuckooing method of drug supply; where the home of a vulnerable person is taken over by criminals to use it to store, sell or take drugs.

“We will continue to proactively identify, target and investigate those involved in drug supply in Staffordshire to take these harmful substances off our streets and protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.

“We are pleased to secure this guilty verdict and sentencing following a successful investigation by the team into an organised drug dealing network. As seen in this case, these groups exploit vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health, or addiction issues.”

The activity follows our ongoing commitment to proactively target serious and organised crime across Staffordshire.

We launched Operation Target last year and have been working with local police forces to disrupt and pursue criminals who plan, organise and commit serious criminal offences across the county, including drug supply, illegal firearms, knife crime, human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

To read more about the work we’ve been doing, visit: https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/news/staffordshire/news/2023/may/major-operation-to-target-serious-organised-crime-launched/