Public role in drug dealers’ prosecution is praised
POLICE in Bishop Auckland have praised information received from the public which led to four drug dealers starting lengthy prison sentences this week.
The four were among seven people arrested during an early morning raid on five houses in the Bishop Auckland area in June.
Simon Bernard Blacklock, 35, from Cheesemond Avenue, Michael Bannister, 31, from Langdale Walk and Emma Louise Walton, 26, from Newton Cap Bank were sentenced to 28 months, 24 months and 20 months behind bars respectively.
Edward Arthur Mould, 25, also from Newton Cap Bank received 20 months in prison.
They were all convicted for their involvement in the supply of controlled drugs. The remaining three people arrested will be sentenced on Monday, October 19.
The Operation Nimrod raids on houses in Cheesemond Avenue, Langdale Walk, Prince’s Street, Cambridge Court and Randolph Street in Coundon Grange involved 135 officers and were inspired by information provided by the public.
Officers made the raids knowing they already had enough information to arrest their suspects for dealing Class A drugs including heroin but a quantity of drugs was also found.
Acting Inspector Dave Hancock praised the sentencing of the four this week and said it sent out the message that drug dealers aren’t welcome in Bishop Auckland.
He also hailed the information provided by the public which played a key role in forming the operation.
He said: “These sentences send out a clear message that we will not tolerate drugs in Bishop Auckland and
it is a problem we are tackling head on. If we receive information about drugs being used or sold we will act upon it and we rely on public support and cooperation to help make our communities safer.
“I wouldn’t say that there is a massive problem with drugs in Bishop Auckland, certainly not when compared to other places but that does not mean we do not take the issue every seriously. This sends out a clear message that would-be dealers will be caught and convicted.
“I would urge anyone with information about drugs in Bishop Auckland to contact us because, as these results show, by working together we can clean up our communities.”
To contact the police telephone the non-emergency contact number on 0345 6060365 or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.