Prison for 'heroin wholesalers'

Narinder Padda and Freed Hussain admitted conspiracy to supply

Four men have been jailed after admitting their part in a drug supplying chain.

Police seized 4kg (9lbs) of heroin - the equivalent of 40,000 wraps - with an estimated street value of £400,000, in an inquiry lasting several months.

The drug suppliers came from Stoke-on-Trent and Wolverhampton in the West Midlands and were sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Staffordshire Police said they were essentially heroin wholesalers.

Gang exposed

Det Insp Mark Abbotts, who led the investigation, said his team were delighted.

"Our lengthy investigation and today's sentences should send a strong warning to people who think they can get away with dealing drugs in Staffordshire.

"Our inquiries exposed a gang involved in large-scale heroin supply in Stoke-on-Trent and beyond.

"They were essentially heroin wholesalers and much of the drug was destined to be sold-on and used in the city."

Class A drugs

Three of the men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Ryan Bradbury, 21, of Lightwood Road, Longton , Stoke-on-Trent, was jailed for three years and nine months along with Narinder Padda, 34, of Colway Road, Wolverhampton.

Freed Hussain, 25, of Buccleuch Road, Normacot, Stoke-on-Trent was given five years.

Kuljit Verdi, 20, of Allen Road, Wolverhampton, denied the charge but was convicted and sentence to seven years.

Another man, gang leader and trainee solicitor Yasser Hussain, 25, of Chaplin Road, Normacot, was also convicted. He will be sentenced in November.

Another man denied the charge and was acquitted.