Telford drug dealers locked up after 108 Class A drugs wraps found

Police searched the Ford Focus, which was parked in Malinslee, Telford, after officers observed what they believed to be a drug deal, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

Sajeed Mahmood, aged 43, of Eyton View, Wellington, and Tevonn Saunders, 24, of Leasowes Drive, Wolverhampton, were inside the vehicle.

Miss Siobhan Collins, prosecuting, said: "Police saw what looked like a drug deal taking place at the driver's window.

"They searched the car and found 20 wraps of heroin worth £200, 108 wraps of crack cocaine worth £1,080 and £20 worth of cannabis."

As Saunders got out of the car two packages fell on to the floor which were later found to be crack cocaine.

Police also found almost £2,000 in cash when they searched Saunders' address.

Both defendants denied two charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply on September 16, 2014.

But they were both found guilty by a jury following a trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court earlier this year.

Miss Jane Sarginson, for Saunders, said he had moderate previous convictions and still maintained he was innocent regarding the drugs offences.

Mr Paul Smith, representing Mahmood, said his time remanded in custody had been quite frightening and difficult.

Judge Peter Barrie, sentencing Saunders on Friday said: "You came to Wellington with the intention of dealing Class A drugs to a number of customers."

He said he regarded Saunders as the "principal supplier" on the day it happened and said a "significant" quantity of drugs had been found.

Addressing Mahmood, Judge Barrie said he had taken into consideration his background of mental health issues.

He said: "I accept your evidence that Saunders came to your flat and insisted you should go in your car and drive him about."

Saunders was given a five-year prison sentence on each of the charges he was convicted of, to run concurrently.

Mahmood was given a 30-month jail term for the same two charges, and a six-month prison sentence, running concurrently, for being in possession of cannabis.

The pair are expected to appear at Shrewsbury Crown Court at a later date for a proceeds of crime hearing, which will attempt to claw back their criminal proceeds.