A man and a woman from the Midlands have been handed custodial sentences after police officers discovered a stash of Class-A drugs valued at over £100,000 during a search of their home.
Community Tip-Off Leads to Major Raid
The operation began in February when West Mercia Police received intelligence from concerned residents in Ludlow. The community reported suspicions that a property on Rocks Green Crescent was being used to supply illegal substances.
Acting on this information, detectives executed a warrant at the address on 12 June. During the search, they uncovered a significant quantity of drugs and other items linked to criminal activity.
Designer Handbag Conceals Heroin Haul
Inside the property, officers found two blocks of heroin with a total weight of 998 grams. The drugs had an estimated street value of £99,800 and were discovered concealed inside a designer handbag.
Police also seized:
- Cocaine worth approximately £2,800.
- £2,700 in cash.
- Two axes.
- Mobile phones connected to drug supply operations.
Ryan Preece, 42, and Caroline Bradley, 47, both of Rocks Green Crescent, were arrested at the scene and later charged.
Court Sentencing and Police Response
The pair appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday, 12 December for sentencing.
Ryan Preece pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, being concerned in the supply of both cocaine and heroin, and acquiring criminal property. He was sentenced to four years in prison.
Caroline Bradley admitted permitting the use of her premises for the supply of cocaine. She received a one-week custodial sentence but was released immediately due to time already served on remand.
Safer Neighbourhood Team Inspector for South Shropshire, Damien Kelly, praised the outcome. "The sentence given to Preece shows exactly what can be achieved when our communities share information with us," he said.
"This outcome should reassure residents that when you tell us about suspected drug activity, we take it seriously and we act on it. You may not always see immediate results, but our teams are constantly working behind the scenes."
Inspector Kelly also highlighted the raid's role in Op Conyay, an ongoing initiative to combat drug supply and associated harm across south Shropshire. He commended the work of the local policing team and CID, whose efforts led to the convictions and removed a significant quantity of drugs from the streets.
