Man jailed after officers seize wraps of crack cocaine and heroin during stop-and-search

A drug dealer has been jailed for more than three years after we found crack cocaine and heroin in Tamworth.

Benjamin Francis, 33, from Tamworth, was arrested in the Dosthill area on 8 March this year after we found 47 wraps of crack cocaine, 33 wraps of heroin, a mobile phone and a small quantity of cash.

We then searched his home and found another mobile phone.

He was charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply heroin and sent to court where he pleaded guilty to both offences.

Francis was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday 23 May to two-years-and-four-months behind bars. He was also given a further consecutive 12 months for breach of a suspended sentence, overall resulting in a sentence of three-years-and-four-months.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Bradbury, who dealt the case, said: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to jail another dealer who was intent on distributing harmful drugs within our communities.

“Officers across the force are committed to proactively targeting drug supply and will continue to act on intelligence leads and reports from the public to bring these people to justice.”

The activity follows our ongoing commitment to tackling serious and organised crime and protecting those who are at risk of exploitation through criminals – called Operation Target.

Work is continuing to proactively target the groups responsible for these crimes – including county lines, drug distribution, illegal firearms and sexual exploitation.

To read more about the initiative, visit: Major operation to target serious organised crime launched | Staffordshire Police