A major organised crime group that supplied huge quantities of class A drugs across Staffordshire has been dismantled, with its members handed lengthy prison sentences totalling 48 years.
County Flooded with Class A Drugs
Staffordshire Police confirmed that the seven-strong gang was responsible for a prolific operation selling heroin and cocaine between October 2020 and March 2022. The scale of their activities was immense, with officers estimating the network supplied more than 15 kilograms of drugs per day into local communities.
The men involved were identified as Abu Iqbal, Kyle Pattinson, Amin Mamon, Nadeen Mehmood, Jamie Dale, Joshua Knapper, and Keiron Tonks. Their criminal enterprise was brought down following targeted police work, including searches of properties linked to the group in the Hanley and Etruria areas of Stoke-on-Trent during 2021 and 2022. These raids led to the recovery of over one kilogram of illicit substances.
Sentences Handed Down at Crown Court
All seven appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Friday, December 12, where a judge imposed sentences reflecting their individual roles within the hierarchy of the operation.
The sentences were as follows:
- Abu Iqbal, 23, who had a leading role, was jailed for 12 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin.
- Kyle Pattinson, 24, who weighed drugs and managed street dealers, received a sentence of nine years and four months.
- Amin Mamon, 37, was found guilty at trial and given 10 years for his significant role.
- Nadeen Mehmood, 36, also playing a significant part, was sentenced to eight years and six months.
- Jamie Dale, 23, was jailed for six years.
- Joshua Knapper, 21, was convicted and received a three-year sentence, which included offences related to cannabis supply.
- Keiron Tonks, 20, who had a lesser role, was given a 16-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.
Police Vow to Disrupt Criminal Networks
Following the sentencing, a spokesperson for Staffordshire Police emphasised their ongoing commitment to tackling serious and organised crime. "We are determined to work proactively in Staffordshire to disrupt serious and organised criminal networks like this one from operating in our local communities," the spokesperson stated.
The successful prosecution marks a significant victory for law enforcement in the region, removing a major source of cocaine and heroin that had been plaguing neighbourhoods for over a year and a half. The combined jail term of nearly five decades sends a strong message about the consequences of involvement in large-scale drug supply.
