Acocks Green and Kings Norton men locked up for £3m cocaine plot
Dec 18 2009 by Christina Savvas, Birmingham Mail
THREE Birmingham men have been jailed for a total of 38 years after being convicted of a plot to flood £3 million worth of cocaine on to the region’s streets.
West Mercia Police seized around 15 kilos of import quality cocaine in one of the largest cases ever dealt with by the force.
Detectives also seized assets worth up to £500,000 including three vehicles, one of which is a luxury Audi R8.
Paul Malcolm Baillie, 41, of Ashmead Drive, Cofton Hackett; Richard Stefan Riley, 36, of Alderney Gardens, Kings Norton, and Jamie Michael Lambie, 33, of Broomhall Grove, Acocks Green, were all convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Baillie also admitted possessing a section 5 firearm (CS spray) and Lambie admitted wounding on a police officer and dangerous driving.
During sentencing at Worcester Crown Court, Baillie, described as the ringleader, was jailed for 17 years, Riley was jailed for 13 years and Lambie was sentenced to eight years.
The drugs were believed to have originated from South America.
The men were arrested on January 21 after raids by officers from West Mercia Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit. Acting detective chief inspector Andy Hughes said: “These offenders were seen as untouchable by the local community and were involved in the supply of Class A drugs for some considerable time.
“The ringleader Paul Baillie particularly seemed to be untouchable but this case shows that no matter what lifestyle you have or what you drive around in, you will be stopped and the assets confiscated will help in future operations in the crackdown against crime.
“This case lasted 12 months and involved several officers from the serious organised crime unit with assistance from the community.
“The drugs were bound for the streets of Birmingham, Redditch and Worcester.
“This was one of the largest drugs seizures ever made by West Mercia Police. As many people know, drug dealing is often linked to other serious crime and it is important we crack down on drug dealers in our local communities.”
Mr Hughes believed the lengthy jail sentences passed will make a massive difference in the fight against drug dealing.
“The sentences demonstrate that both the courts and police do not take lightly this level of drug dealing,” he said.
Judge John Cavell is expected to set an order under the Proceeds of Crime Act at a future hearing.
