DRUG DEALERS LOCKED UP AFTER ‘STOP AND SEARCH’ BY POLICE

Officers say sentences send ‘clear message’

TWO men have been jailed after police recovered drugs and cash following a stop and search operation.

Dale Jackson was travelling in a hire car when officers pulled the vehicle over in Northcote Street, Shelton. The 28-year-old was searched and Class A drugs and a knife were recovered.

Police then carried out a raid at his former home in Duke Street, Heron Cross, where they found £3,000 cash.

Also at the address, officers searched Dylon Kirkham, who was caught with drugs and cash.

Jackson, of Newcastle Street, Burslem, pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply, and possession of a knife in a public place.

He was sentenced to 52 months in prison.

Kirkham, aged 19, of Friars Road, Abbey Hulton, also admitted possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

He has now been locked up for 45 months in a youth offender’s institution.

Both men were sentenced at Stoke-on-trent Crown Court on Friday.

Speaking after the case, Neighbourhood Officer Ian Prendergast, from Stoke South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We will not tolerate drugdealing in our communities and we’ll do everything we can to find those responsible.

“We hope this sends out a clear message that if you deal drugs in our area, you will face a prison sentence.”