Hemel Hempstead drug dealer jailed for 10 years

A man from Hemel Hempstead who was part of a drugs supply gang which moved drugs all over the country has been jailed for 10 years and two months.

Phillip Blackburn, 38, of Mimas Road, Hemel Hempstead, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply class A drugs.

He was sentenced to 10 years and two months at St Albans Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday).

Two other members of the gang, who pleaded guilty to the charges, were also sentenced:

Justin Terry, 45, former caretaker at the boys’ school, sentenced to 8 years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Martin Walsh, 54, from Churchfields Road, Watford, sentenced to 8 years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

The men were arrested in October after a drugs warrant was served at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School in Elstree, following an investigation into a drug network operating in Hertfordshire.

Three men were subsequently charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs, cocaine and amphetamine.

During the course of the operation a kilo of cocaine was discovered at the school and two kilos of cocaine were seized at a hotel in the Wirral where one of the men was staying.

Around £100,000 in cash was also recovered.

Detective Chief Inspector Doug Black, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Group said: “Following a long running investigation, we covertly watched and gathered evidence on this crime group who were supplying drugs in the county and beyond.

"The sentences handed out will have a major impact on the supply of drugs within Hertfordshire and will also make the county and safer place for those living here.

"Those involved have been sentenced to date to more than 30 years in prison, and will no longer pose a threat to the community, a further six defendants are awaiting sentence.

"We will take action to seize any assets that have been accumulated with illegal funds under the Proceeds of Crime Act to ensure that they do not profit further from their crimes.

“Operation Relentless is Hertfordshire Constabulary’s response to the on-going threat from organised criminal gangs.

"These groups pose a threat to local communities and the force is committed to identifying and relentlessly pursuing individuals and networks involved in serious and organised crime.

"As part of this work, we depend on information from members of the community to help us crack down on drug-related crime.

"Any information you can provide, no matter how small it may seem, could help us to identify and apprehend drug dealers.”