OFFICERS have arrested a ninth suspect as part of a major drugs operation in Burton.
The 26-year-old, from Norwich, was arrested in the Norwich area yesterday morning on suspicion of supplying crack cocaine in the Burton area and transported to custody in Staffordshire for questioning.
Chief Inspector Steve Maskrey, local policing team commander for East Staffordshire, said: “We made a clear commitment to our communities that we will continue to rid the streets of major drug dealers.
“This is the third large-scale operation so far this year but our fight against these criminals is ongoing.
“The information we have received from the public has been imperative to the success of these operations. We have acted on this information and drug dealers have been taken off the streets.
“Not only have we disrupted supply of drugs in Burton by arresting suspected drug dealers we continue to run operations to stop other drug dealers moving into the area to fill the gap.
“This has seen us carry out 15 drug warrants on top of the two major operations in January and February.
“We will continue to take a tough stance on criminals involved in drugs and related behaviour.”
The eight people charged following Tuesday’s raids.
Brian Roberts, 40, of no fixed address. No plea to charge of offering to supply heroin and crack cocaine. Adjourned until March 21 when he will appear at Burton Magistrates’ Court via videolink. Remanded in custody.
Paul Taylor, 45, of Queen Street, Burton. No plea to four charges of supplying heroin and one charge of possession of heroin. Adjourned until March 20 when he will appear at Burton Magistrates’ Court via videolink. Remanded in custody.
Nassar Ali Latif, 39, of Redwood Drive, Burton. No plea to five charges of supplying heroin.
Ursula Young, 43, of Shobnall Street, Burton. Pleaded guilty to supplying heroin. Committed to Stafford Crown Court on a date to be confirmed. Released on bail.
Shabarn Ali, 23, of Derby Street, Burton. No plea to charges of supply of cannabis and offering to supply cannabis. Elected jury trial at Stafford Crown Court on date to be confirmed. Released on bail.
Gavin Bell, 34, of Chapel Street, Church Gresley. Pleaded guilty to supplying heroin. Committed to Stafford Crown Court on a date to be confirmed. Released on bail.
Benny Lee, 34, of Oxford Street, Burton. No plea to charge of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Committed to Stafford Crown Court for plea and directions hearing on March 22. Remanded in custody.
Ian Goring, 36, of Lonsdale Road, Burton. No plea to charge of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Committed to Stafford Crown Court for plea and directions hearing on March 22. Remanded in custody.
