An illegal drugs enterprise has been smashed by Hereford Proactive CID following an operation targeting a gang peddling cocaine into Leominster.
Five offenders were sentenced to a total of seven years and three months at Worcester Crown Court on Friday 23 May.
Their prosecutions followed a series of warrants in Leominster, Herefordshire on Tuesday 26 November 2024 which were based on intelligence developed following a stop on a vehicle leaving the Birmingham area on the A449 Kidderminster on Monday 23 September 2024.
The car being driven by Philip Oldaker was stopped by officers as it was being driven back from the West Midlands area on 23 September.
Ethan Pound was located inside the vehicle, as well as a quantity of cocaine and cannabis.
Our investigation revealed that this journey was to collect drugs destined for onward sale into the local community of Leominster and officers quickly identified that these men were operating under the direction of Kenneth Stuchbery.
On 26 November, police conducted simultaneous warrants leading to Stuchbery being charged for conspiracy to supply class A drugs – cocaine and remanded into prison.
The investigation revealed a wealth of evidence demonstrating Stuchbery’s management of the drug supply enterprise. He would orchestrate the collection and sale of the cocaine as well as reaping the financial benefit from his offending.
Stuchbery oversaw Philip Oldaker, Ethan Pound, Shane Butler and Jade Field who themselves had their own roles in the drug dealing ring within Leominster.
All five pled guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs – cocaine and at Worcester Crown Court on 23 May they were sentenced as follows: –
- Kenneth Stuchbery, 37, of Bridge Street, Leominster, was sentenced to four years and six months for his significant role in the drug dealing enterprise and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187.
- Ethan Pound, 23, of no fixed abode – two years and nine months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.
- Philip Oldaker, 60, of Wyson Avenue, Brimfield, Ludlow, Shropshire – two years suspended, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187 and costs of £80.
- Shane Butler, 27, of Worcester Road, Leominster – two years suspended and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187.
- Jade Field, 31, of Paradise Court, Leominster – 12 months, suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187.
Lead investigator DC Kyle Hopkins, of Hereford Proactive CID, said: “We are pleased to have broken this drug ring operating within the small market town of Leominster, managed by Kenneth Stuchbery.
“The misery and suffering brought about by drugs into our communities is well documented and Stuchbery committed these offences for financial gain.
“The sentences imposed demonstrate that offending of this nature will not be tolerated by West Mercia Police and detectives will relentlessly pursue those who commit it, regardless of where they operate, and will always seek to prosecute those who cause harm to the people we are here to protect and serve.”
